HELLO TO ALL YOU LOVELY READERS! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS!
Yuuri: We're back *enters with Victor who looks better*
Victor: *sees me, wraps himself around Yuuri and hisses at me* Sssssssstay away from my Yuuri!
Me: Huh? 0.0
Victor: *hiiiiiiiiiss*
Yuuri: Just ignore him Midnight *turns to audience* Midnight hopes you enjoy this chapter, remember that she does not own this anime or any of us except for her oc characters and children.
Victor: *somehow was able to make a call while holding Yuuri* Yes, I want an exorcist to de-demonize a fan fiction writer
Me+Yuuri: *facepalm*
...
Victor didn't realize that he was holding his breath until he released it when the doors of the exit to the airport opened to reveal the rising sun over the horizon of the ocean of Hasetsu while the humid salty air greeted them as well. Everything seemed to be the same as before, nothing was run down or crumbling to the ground which held pleasant memories and not so pleasant memories, in fact, the last time he ever steps foot in Hasetsu was for the funeral.
Back then, his world was completely engulfed by darkness but at least today, his world was slowly gaining some color back. It may not be as radiant, vibrant, and lovely as the old days, but it was at least transparent.
He reached into his side pocket to pull that small notebook out as he used his poodle-theme pen to write down his next message with a small smile. Yuuri, as you may have already noticed, I made it to Hasetsu in one piece and so far there is no panic or doubt about this decision. I really hope it stays that way, but then again, you used to tell me how anxiety has a way of coming when I least expect it. But it doesn't hurt to stay positive like the therapist told me. Hasetsu looks the same as you remember it Yuuri, filled with our memories. And hopefully, it'll be filled with much more when I reconnect with Hana and Yusha.
"Nothing really changed, has it?" He heard himself say out loud, watching the seagulls take flight across the sky while they cried out for the others.
"Well, there are some new signs here and there but everything stayed the same I guess," Yurio remarked, rubbing the back of his head. By signs, Yurio meant that were small memorials for Yuuri near Hasetsu Castle, the beach, and Ice Castle with even some posters of him in the old skating days.
Victor suddenly looked down for a moment, feeling a wave of sadness run down his body at the thought of the boxes filled with items that reminded him of Yuuri. Just before he tried to take his life, about a few days after trashing his apartment during his grief, he sent them to the Katsukis' inn. He made one request that day that they kept those boxes well hidden and safe. Now that he thought of it, the way he behaved these past five years seemed like he didn't want anyone to mention Yuuri and at some point, he even requested for no one to do so. That time he feared that those told memories would only make his children miss their papa and even feel the pain of their loss which was something he refused to allow them to go through. Even now, he still held on to that fear but with the guilt for depriving his children of ever knowing their papa.
Does Yusha even know his papa?
Does Hana remember those days?
"Victor?"
Victor looked up, his thoughts interrupted to see Yurio glancing over at him with a mild expression. He didn't even say anything when Yurio spoke up, "It's not really your fault for not mentioning Yuuri to your kids after what happened. We all didn't help make the situation better but no one is forcing you to talk about him. Just say the word and we'll all help you share his memory."
With no idea how Yurio knew what he was thinking, Victor still was able to make a smile as he nodded, "Thank you."
"Whatever, whenever you're ready but that won't stop little rules to be bent," Yurio soon grabbed Victor's hand to drag him to the spot where they should be waiting for someone. They stood on the sidewalk outside the airport for about five minutes before Yurio turned to Phichit and hissed with annoyance, "Where's Minako? Didn't she say she was going to pick us up?"
"I'm sure she's on her way," Phichit shrugged sheepishly, "There's no way she'll get too drunk to drive, even if she did I'm sure Mari would have messaged me by now."
"Maybe she got held up," Vitaly suggested with a chuckle, "The children have enough energy to distract a whole army if they could. No doubt they're cornering the poor woman to get her to take them along on a trip to pick us up. Let's be patient while we wait for them to show up. But knowing Hana, she's probably the ringleader of the begging session."
...
"We wanna go with you Minako-sensei please!" Hana, Mali, and Lee begged with wide-eyed puppy faces at Minako. For children who decided to stay past their bedtime, they were very energetic during breakfast the moment Minako mentioned that she had to pick Victor up. "Please Minako-sensei!"
"Children, you all have to be calm down," Seung-gil firmly commanded when he entered the dining room to see the kids cornering Minako. "You'll wake Yusha and Anatasia."
"Sorry," A the trio mumbled under their breath while Minako was breathing out with relief.
Seung-gil could tell from how pale Minako was that the children wanted to tag along with her which he didn't oppose of but he couldn't help but worry if having the children come along would overwhelm Victor. Before he properly scolds them, they suddenly heard the front door open with a familiar greeting going through the entire room, "Hello family! Your favorite Uncle Chris is here!"
Within seconds, Hana, Mali, and Lee all gasped with excitement as they all rushed to the front door shouting out, "UNCLE CHRIS! UNCLE MASUMI!"
"What did I say about keeping the noise down?" Seung-gil sighed in defeat as he watched Hiroko, Minako, Anna, and Mari go after the children.
That was when he felt a presence behind him and when he turned around, there was Otabek who simply reminded him,"They're kids, I don't believe being quiet is part of their dictionary yet. Let them have fun." He then made a pointed look at him, "Besides you did give them chocolate cake for breakfast instead."
"I guess," Seung-gil shook his head as he sat back down to enjoy his sweet breakfast and a moment's of peace before the circus came back with more performers. He gestured for Otabek to join him, "We might as well eat while we still can, our kids are full of energy that will need to be extinguished before they finish us off." Otabek made no comment but seeing the bags under his eyes and how fast he ate despite it just being a slice of junk food, Seung-gil knew he was right.
Meanwhile, Chris and his husband Masumi along with their eleven-year-old son were all being hugged to death by the children as the older man chuckled, "Well, well, it's been so long since I've seen the family getting together." He then glanced down at his son Stephen, short dirty blond curly hair and green eyes as he gently pushed him forward toward his young friends, "Come on Stephen, no need to be shy now. You couldn't stop talking about being with Hana and the others during the flight especially with your new ideas for their own designer clothing."
"Dad!" Stephen whined with a flushed face.
"Aww, is Stephen a scaredy cat now?" Mali teased as she tried in vain to cover her laughter. "Are we that scary for you?"
"No, I'm not! I'm much older than you too so I'm no scaredy-cat!" Stephen protested. "You're not even close to being scary."
"That's not it Mali and you know it," Lee added much to Stephen's relief.
"Yeah, you tell her Lee!"
But that relief was short lived when Lee started the next sentence, "Stephen obviously is in love with Hana and he wants to kiss, kiss her!"
"Really!?" Mali gasped with delight while Hana turned pale at the thought while the older boy was flustered as he swatted at Lee's head.
"That's not true and you know it!"
The adults watched the scene with bright smiles as Chris whispered to Mari, "They almost remind of those days with Victor and Yurio always at each other's throats. Or just all of us teasing him about Otabek." Mari couldn't help but agree with a chuckle at the memory if she recalled correctly, there was this one time when she overheard Yurio tease Victor about being so lovesick over Yuuri during the coaching days. Victor was so flustered and embarrassed, especially when Yurio mentioned how he practiced talking to Yuuri with that statue.
"Stephen and Hana sitting in the tree!"
"Stop it! I'm not in love with her so quit it you evil hamster twins!"
"K-I-S-S-"
"STOP IT!"
Yep, just like the old days.
...
'I'm on the same beach again' Yusha thought to himself while he looked out at the ocean reaching the sands while the cries of seagulls echoed from the horizon. He was crawling on the sand with his eyes on the water that was coming in and out. But the closer he got, the louder the waves were which only triggered the fear of being swallowed up and taken! He didn't reach the water when he was lifted up and away from the waves. He could tell he wrapped up in warm arms of the same person everytime he woke up to this place, listening to those waves, and seagull cries match with the soothing humming of the holder. This person was standing up as Yusha looked down to see the water reaching their feet and even though he was far above the water's touch, he still let out a whimper of fear.
"Shhh, it's okay, this is Hasetsu beach Yusha," The voice comforted the boy, seeing a pale hand showing off the ocean. "See, there's nothing to be afraid of, just the ocean being friendly with us. At least until we learn how to swim."
Suddenly, Yusha was being lowered, just inches from the water for his little hands to reach out. The water felt a little cold but that didn't stop him from splashing it everywhere while he began to laugh. "See Yusha, the water feels nice. There's no need to be afraid, I'm right here to protect you," The stranger chuckled lightly. As the ripples of water calmed down, Yusha could see their reflections. He was still a baby with short silver hair and the person holding him was a man with raven hair, chocolate brown eyes that had blue glasses over them with a smile on his face. Yusha didn't know who this nice man was, but he made him feel safe and warm on the inside, like that little spot that was empty in his chest filled up for that one moment.
There was a sudden shriek of laughter coming from behind them as Yusha felt the person turn them around only to see his big sister Hana, who looks younger like in her pictures, running away from daddy, probably playing tag until she hugged the stranger's legs. She looked up at them with bright eyes and smile as she giggled, "Daddy is the giant sand monster!"
The strange man only laughed as he held Yusha in one hand and rustled Hana's hair with the other, "Looks like the giant sand monster wants a hug."
That was when Hana ran back to where their daddy was pouting, tackling him to the sand with her arms wrapped around him as more laughter erupted from the two. He felt the stranger hold him close to a gentle embrace as he whispered with a voice that made him feel protected, "That's love Yusha, someday, you'll grow up to know, to give, and feel more love from everyone."
'Who are you?' Yusha wanted to ask the strange man but suddenly a bright light began to block his vision from everything as he cried out with frustration and then-
He woke up.
"Yusha, did you have that same dream?" Anatasia curiously asked, standing by the edge of the futon bed Yusha was laying on. Yusha blinked once before he silently nodded as she sat beside him with a sigh. This wasn't the first time she caught Yusha mumbling some questions before erupted waking up since that has happened on several sleepovers they shared. So far, she was the only person who Yusha ever told his reoccurring dream about but unfortunately, neither of them could quite figure out who was this strange man he kept seeing in that dream. At first, they guessed that it was probably his papa but there weren't any old pictures laying around or in any social media accounts (trust them, they bribed the twins to get the access but no success).
He sat up and yawned, rubbing his eyes as he sighed, "I wish I can just ask someone about the nice man in my dream."
"Maybe you can ask your ojiisan and obaasan about it," Anatasia suggested, "They all wear glasses right?"
"Except Auntie-Mari."
"Still!" She insisted, getting up to with her fists pumped up with determination, "Your ojiisan and obaasan wear glasses and they live here so they must know a man in Hasetsu who wears blue glasses."
Yusha considered her conclusions, they did make sense if he thought about it. "But what if they don't know? Or don't want to tell us?" He looked down dejectedly, "I don't wanna tell them about my strange dream."
"True, hmmm," Anatasia hummed for a moment until an idea came to her mind, "I GOT IT! If they don't know or tell us then let's have them take us to the beach."
"Eh?" Yusha blinked with confusion, "What does the beach have to do with getting an answer?"
"Because we could just look for the strange nice man in the beach," She answered as if it was obvious. "You said so yourself! Your dream always has you in Hasetsu beach where you last saw him."
"You're right!" Yusha looked up with realization, "Anatasia, you're absolutely right."
"Of course I'm right," Anatasia beamed proudly until she grabbed Yusha's arm to pull him out of bed, "But we have to get going now if we wanna try both plans."
"Let me put some clothes on!" Yusha pulled back, covering himself under the sheets. "We can ask after I take Yuuki for a walk too."
Anatasia blinked once, then twice before releasing a heavy sigh. Yusha maybe the type who wants his curiosity to be quenched but would do everything in his power to actually avoid quenching it.
...
"We're in luck," Phichit announced with relief, mostly because it was getting difficult to calm Yurio down. Even though he was grown man, he still has the anger of his teenager self which will never be extinguished with the exception of having children present. "Minako is on her way. She got held up since our kids wanted to tag along with her and Chris came with his family but not to worry, he was able to distract them for her to make a get-away!"
"Wow," Victor gulped. "Even Chris was able to come on this little get-together."
Yurio, on the other hand, just glared at Phichit as he growled, "Don't you think you could have told us that before we decided to walk to the inn?!"
"Whoops, my bad," Phichit sheepishly chuckled. After waiting for a considerable amount of time, they voted on walking despite having to haul their luggage after Victor arranged for the rest to arrive at the inn by a delivery truck. So now here they are, under the summer heat the sun was giving off, nearly getting close to the inn but that didn't mean it made Yurio any more patient.
"Now, now, if she's on her way then she should be passing by us any moment now," Vitaly suggested. "And I'm sure the children are just eagerly waiting for us to arrive, especially Hana and Yusha for Victor."
Victor rubbing the back of his head nervously with a dry chuckle, "I wish it was both of them but truth be told reconnecting with Yusha is going to be difficult...I wasn't there for him or Hana these five years, will I even be given the chance."
"Now, now son," Vitaly assured as he gently patted Victor's back, "Though you and Yusha are distant, he was willing to give this week a shot but Hana was especially excited for your return. All she could do for the past few weeks was talking about being a family again with you."
"She did?" Victor gasped in awe, unaware of how his eyes were beginning to water. "They both want to try..."
Suddenly a car heading their way slowed down right near them as the window went down to reveal a messy-haired Minako as she sighed, "Do you have any idea how long I was looking for you guys? And how hard it was to sneak past the kids?" She released a dry laugh when she stepped out of the car to open the trunk so she could help with the luggage to get in. "I told Seung-gil that fresh vegetables were right for breakfast, even fruit but he insisted on something sweeter."
"Like chocolate cake with whipped cream and sprinkles?" Victor guessed within a second as Minako nodded to confirm that he was right.
"Exactly, and no one knew where he even got that cake from," She moaned, "He thought it would do no harm so he went to check on a few things. No one knew he fed them that until we have the children screaming and running around the dining room."
"Oh no, he did?" Phichit gasped even though this wasn't surprising at all. "And here I thought I managed to get him to like vegetables a little bit, then he says I'm the bad influence on the kids."
"Well then I'm afraid you didn't get through to him," Minako shrugged, shutting the trunk shut and once everyone else was inside the backseats of the car she got in the driver's seat and started the car. "Now every kid besides Chriss' boy, Yusha, and Anatasia, are hyperactive. If it wasn't for Hiroko then you'd probably have to walk all the way to Yu-Topia. But I'm sure you'll manage them."
Hyperactive children...Victor thought to himself as he chuckled at the thought of how much energy those kids must have. Oh no, Yuuri must be over the rails about this when he hears about this-
...
"Victor! I thought we agreed not to give Hana sweets for breakfast," Yuuri groaned, facepalming while he had to listen to a three-year-old girl running wild around the apartment with her lungs screaming out loud with cheer. He then gave Victor a serious stare, "What did you give her this time?"
Victor nervously twiddled his fingers a bit. He did not like being scolded, especially by his husband. "Just some chocolate cake with whipped cream and sprinkles, see we both were hungry and we didn't want to wake you up or burn the house down so that was the perfect solution." Truth be told, especially by the heavy sigh Yuuri gave him which meant that he was seeing his points if Victor was alone in the kitchen to cook it would be a disaster.
"You have the day off today right?" Yuuri suddenly asked.
Victor was completely caught off guard as he answered slowly, "Y-Yes."
With that, Yuuri grabbed his duffel bag that held his ballet outfit for his classes and began to head his way to the door. He was right in front of the door before turning around with a blank expression as he responded to the awkward silence between them, "Well, my class is really picky about tardiness and since it was your idea to energize our child, you'll have to handle the hyperactive. But I'm sure you can manage her." The door opened as he blew a kiss to Victor, "Don't worry, I left a list of activities that would tire her out and I'll make dinner when I get back. And if you did well then you'll get a well-deserved reward in our bedroom."
That was enough to get Victor to agree to the terms and go all out on getting all the energy out in a day's worth of endless games.
...Yuuri...
Yuuri?
Oh. That's right...He suddenly realized. Yuuri isn't here to handle these kinds of situations anymore... Or hear about them.
"Victor?"
Victor blinked twice, out of the memory and realizing that tears were falling down. Not to mention that he was no longer in the car.
He was standing on the sidewalk that led back to the airport.
Turns out, it was Minako who was calling out for him from the car that had the passenger door open. He looked up to see the 'Katsuki-Yutopia' sign not too far from where he stood, welcoming them while the people in the car were giving him glances of concern. Well, except for Yurio who was right behind him to simply sigh and ask, "Were you thinking of something gross?"
"Y-Yeah," Victor sniffled, wiping his tears away, "Something like that."
"Take it easy alright," Yurio suggested as he opened the door to step out and point to the doors of the onsen. "We're all right here, and if you feel that you want to back down now it's okay. There's always next time and chances waiting for you."
Victor shook his head, taking a deep breath in then releasing it. "No, no...I'm ready, I can do this. For my kids. I-I just caught me off guard for a bit that's all."
"Step-by-step," Yurio reminded him, gently holding his hand to lead him to the inn entrance. "You can do this."
A chilly wave went up against his spine as Victor stood in front of the path that was leading to the inn, where Yusha and Hana were waiting. That's right, I waited five years for this chance, to see their faces again. I want to be there for them from now on. He took small steps forward without realizing how they were shaking as he released his hand from Yurio's hold. Even if Yuuri is not with us anymore, I know that he wants me to try...Isn't that right, Yuuri?
He was now just a few feet away from the door, ready to run towards it instead until it suddenly slid open by itself!
"Huh?"
Victor blinked again, he didn't see anyone stand in front of him but that was when he glanced down to see a small figure standing there with wide chocolate brown eyes of confusion. The smile that turned upside down from a small five-year-old with messy silver hair dressed in a small green yukata staring at him with a small light brown poodle beside him.
"Yu-Yusha," Victor's voice cracked a bit. He wasn't expecting his youngest child to be the first to greet him, especially when his appearance seems to be confusing to the boy!
Suddenly there was a loud gasp that came from the inside and within seconds the two boys could hear the cheer of a nine-year-old raven-haired girl rushing out to the door with her arms spread out and her silver eyes lighting up with excitement! "DADDY!" She cheered, jumping out and onto Victor, her arms wrapped around his waist to hold him close. "YOU'RE HOME!"
From the sudden weight thrown at him along with another darker brown poodle following what she did, caused Victor to tumble over and fall on his bottom as he looked up to see Hana laughing. Suddenly there were more gasps from children who were following after Hana only for them to jump at him to join the hug! They almost didn't recognize their uncle Victor but after hearing Hana call him 'daddy' was enough proof to make that hug. Anatasia stared for a moment, contemplating whether or not she should join in the hugging of her uncle Victor whom she only heard stories about. But seeing how fun the others were having, she wasted no time to run forward and jump on top of him.
Victor, on the other hand, was buried under the weight of five children, four that he recognized, and the small one who he assumed must be Yurio's and Otabek's little Anatasia. Each and every one of them was talking to him or each other but the only voice that stood out for him was Hana's laughter. Her heartfelt laugh under the summer sun for the first time in five years, made his chest ache but it wasn't bad. It was just that the last time he was actually with Hana, she was upset and crying.
All he did in this situation was sit up and pull Hana in an embrace as he whispered out loud with wavering emotion, "Yeah that's right Hana...Daddy finally came back home to you and Yusha."
And speaking of Yusha.
"Yusha, want to join us?" Victor looked up, towards the direction where Yusha was supposed to be.
Unfortunately, that spot where Yusha was standing was empty with only the little poodle Yuuki still watching the scene with interest.
No sign of Yusha anywhere.
...
Victor: WHAT?! *on the phone* What do you mean you can't do an exorcism on a fanfiction writer? ... Overbooked?...FOR A THOUSAND YEARS!?...Having a child not acknowledging me isn't an excuse to make an exorcism?...ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
Me: Sorry Victor, not the first time someone tried to perform an exorcism on me.
Yuuri: Oh dear lord helps us all *turns to audience* Midnight hopes you enjoyed this long chapter, PLEASE review with a LOT of comments for this and her other stories. Please make her day and keep her crippling esteem up, see she's going through a crisis of loneliness that high school caused her from the lack of good friends. So please review favorite, and comment.
Me: HEY! I'M ALRIGHT OKAY YUURI! *looks away* I don't need friends or pity!
Yuuri: You sure?
Me: YEAH! *tears up* I don't *sniff* need them *sniff* *aggressively wiping tears away*Who needs them anyway!?
*My stubbornness did not work so EVERYONE IN YOI is just hugging me*
Me: *can't stop crying* Y-You guys!