HELLO, GUYS THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS FOR THE STORY PLEASE CONTINUE TO READ! LOVE YOU ALL!
Me: Ughhhhh *on ground dead* Is this Valhalla?
Hiroko: Oh dear, what is that high school doing to her?
Victor: *stares at me* Is she dead?
Me: *Dead moaning*
Yurio: Does that answer your question*turns to audience* Yeah you all know she owns none of us or the anime so just read and enjoy the damn chapter she worked so hard to make for you readers! ESPECIALLY THE ONES WHO REQUESTED THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE!
...
"Are you sure you're alright?" Yuuri asked for the twentieth time that evening at the edge of the tub while Victor was brushing his teeth. "You're not traumatized by the whole experience right?" He lifted one tentacle from the water as he offered, "Because I can use some magic to get rid of that memory if it's within the day then I can alter that memory to something less traumatizing."
"No, no," Victor assured hastily even though he found Yuuri's pestering a little amusing, "There is no need for that thank you. I'm fine Yuuri, really I am. A little shaken up but not traumatized."
"If you say so," Yuuri hummed as his tentacle went back to relax in the salt water while Makkachin and Vicchan tried to sniff into the water to find it.
They were quiet again until Victor finally coughed up the courage to speak up, "U-Um I'd like to thank you for rescuing me back there. Husband or not, it's now the first bravest thing anyone has ever done for me."
"First?" Yuuri asked curiously while trying to hide the urge to blush.
"Oh the second one is when Makkachin saved me from a small spider in my sports bag," Victor explained with a small shiver at the mention of spiders while smiling at the memory of that incident. "But saving me from Minami is definitely number one."
Yuuri felt heat rush into his cheeks the moment he saw Victor smile at his direction as he dove down into the water so that only half of his face was showing which was just his head and eyes. He was able to reply as bubbled formed from him speaking underwater, "U-Um thanks, I guess."
"Yuuri, what's wrong? You're looking a little pale there," Victor noticed.
I can't let him know his smile is making me feel all funny! Have to say something else! Yuuri mentally told himself. So he explained while still hiding half his face underwater with bubbles forming every time he uttered a word, "J-Just the mention of a spider gives me the creeps." Seriously?! "I may or may not have had a few run-ins with unfriendly spiders back in Detroit." It wasn't a total lie, spiders scared him half to death especially back in Detroit which may or may not have caused some damage to the dorm room but that wasn't the real reason for the sudden hiding underwater thing.
Victor couldn't help but giggle at what could have possibly occurred while hearing the poodles in the bathroom bark a bit. He might as well try to comfort the poor scared Cecaelia in the best way he could. "Aw, poor Yuuri-"
"Makkachin! Vicchan! How could you two say that?" Yuuri whined towards the two poodles, completely unaware of the confused expression Victor made. "You know that isn't true at all!"
"Eh?" Victor hummed innocently seeing Makkachin and Vicchan bark again which only made Yuuri dive in the water with only air bubbles appearing on top. He turned to the poodles who stared back with such angelic purity. "What just happened?"
"Sea creatures can kinda understand what animals are saying," A voice responded from the water which means Yuuri is refusing to pop out anytime soon. "But that's only for animals of the sea now if its land animals then we'd have to study their languages. So I studied what cats and dogs typically say to better understand what Vicchan is telling me...I guess I forgot to mention that."
Then Chris says I'm the forgetful type, Victor sighed, trying desperately hard not to laugh. "So what did our little angels say that has you disappearing into the water?"
Thes was a moment of hesitation until Yuuri finally answered. "They said that there's no reason to be a coward towards spiders. That they're like pigeons who are more scared of us than we are of them." Actually, they said that Victor was the real cause of my behavior but I'm not letting him know that!
"But pigeons aren't afraid, they sit on electrically wires," Victor pointed out, not sure if he was addressing. (A.N: See what I quoted there ;D)
"Exactly!"
"Whatever you say Yuuri," Vicchan casually barked, knowing very well that he's making his friend blush underwater there. "I know it's about Victor ever since you first saw him on TV with Yuuko and Takeshi."
Yuuri decided to ignore that comment.
He just didn't expect to hear Victor ask so casually. "So Yuuri, um...I was wondering if...Maybe...Maybe I can watch you first performance, see you dance on stage?"
Yuuri quickly resurfaced, clearly looking surprised at the question. "E-Eh?! Do you want to see me perform? Why?"
"Why not?" Victor chuckled, making that infamous smile. "I'd like to get to know my husband even better."
"I-If that's what you really want?" Yuuri mumbled. "T-Then maybe I can get you a ticket for a performance or two...I-If you're sure."
That was when Victor's eyes light up with excitement, his mouth forming a shape of a heart as he leaps towards the bathtub and cheered, "Oh thank you Yuuri! I can't wait to watch the greatest dancer perform on stage!" He ended up getting his clothes soaked as he embraced the Cecaelia.
"V-Victor! Let go please," Yuuri panicked. "You'll get tangled in my tentacles!"
"Oh."
"What do you mean oh?" Yuuri asked, a dreading feeling filling his stomach. "Don't tell me-"
Victor just chuckled, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, ignoring how the rest of his body was tangled up in tentacles of how pale he was getting. "Yep, I guess I got a little tangled up here." He was staring at the tentacles like they were time bombs. "And I just remembered that I'm still trying to get used to them."
"You really have to pay attention to these things Victor." Yuuri sighed.
...
"And how was that asking him!?" Mila moaned with frustration, struggling not to pull her hair out. "Victor, Victor, Victor, even though watching his performance is not bad either but you were supposed to ask him to join you on your travels for the Grand Prix Final. You're not planning on leaving your husband all alone here are you?"
"Of course not, he deserves the world! Victor protested, leaning against the rink gates, ignoring Yakov's rants about slacking off. "But things happened yesterday."
"Oh right, that whole whale shark incident," Mila recalled much to his surprise. Before he could even ask, she winked and gestured to where Yurio was skating. "Yura told me all about that incident last night through text. He wouldn't stop complaining about how he was stuck having to save you." She then grinned. "So, how did it feel to be swallowed by a shark whale?"
"It wasn't pleasant," Victor admitted with a heavy sigh. "But it's all good now. What confused me was why that whale shark wanted to have me relocated or even dead? I married Yuuri, I would imagine that everyone should be fine with our marriage or at least tolerate it."
"Eh, who knows?" Mila shrugged. "That whale shark probably couldn't tolerate the marriage but you have a point, Victor." Her fingers tapped her chin in thought. "It's ocean law to accept the fulfillment of any ancient agreement no matter the circumstances otherwise the punishment is banishment or death."
What is it with sea creatures and death? Victor wondered to himself in worry. Can't they have the right to fair trial or last imprisonment?
"No one breaks those laws because they care about their lives too much and the sea council will know of this." Mila interrupted his thoughts. "Well everyone has to abide by the law except for one group of sea creatures...Did the whale shark mention anything else during your kidnapping? "
Before Victor could answer, he noticed how Mila was quick to have a face of realization then she grabbed his arms and asked, "Wait! That whale shark's name was Minami Kenjirou, right? And he's a whale shark who tried to relocate you right?!"
"Yes, why? You even said he's a whale shark yourself." Victor blinked. He didn't understand why Mila was getting frightened. "He's just a sea creature who happens to be a figure skater of Japan and Yuuri handled him well so I don't understand the sudden questions."
"That's because there's a pretty good chance that Kenjirou might be that same whale shark who just the Gold Troupe of the Sea not too long ago!" Mila shouted in terror.
"Gold Troupe?" Victor repeated in confusion.
"Hold on did you idiots just say, Gold Troupe?!" Yurio demanded from across the rink. Thankfully that the only people present at the moment are Mila, Victor, him, Georgi, and Yakov. Victor noticed how the sea people with the exception of Yakov had their eyes flooded with either panic or shock. "I didn't think that stupid whale shark would have anything to do with that damn group!"
"I knew he sounded familiar but I didn't expect him to be from the actual Gold Troupe." A new voice entered the rink which turned out to be Yuuri with Lilia right behind him as Victor and Georgi helplessly gazed at each other's directions out of confusion. Yuuri sighed as he looked down and recalled. "That could explain why he was heading to Southeast side of the ocean before he disappeared."
"And the Gold Troupe base is located in the Southeastern parts of the ocean," Lilia added. "I didn't think they would strike like this or even decide to meddle in this marriage of all things."
"Would anyone mind tell me and Georgi about this Gold Troupe?" Victor squeaked out.
That was when Yuuri rushed to Victor as Mila quickly stepped aside as he grabbed his shoulders and demanded with his brown eyes burning with a determination that would not take 'no' for an answer. "Victor, I know this is sudden and is going to be weird, even awkward especially for your image but..." He then got to his knees but his eyes were still gazing at Victor's. "Please, you have to let me go along with you to your events for the Grand Prix Final!"
It took a moment for Victor to realize what Yuuri just asked but he simply stared back with disbelief. "Eh?"
"U-Um just what is this Gold Troupe you all are speaking of?" Georgi feebly asked, trembling from his confusion. "We have no idea what you're talking about
"The Gold Troupe are a group of sea creatures led by their leader who has access to all the gold and power they need to manipulate the sea council into allowing them to anything they want," Lilia explained with a sigh. "They don't get into any trouble by anyone but it is the leader who has that power. Regardless the leader wants to expand their power so they recruit any sea creature worthy to work for them. They handle any humans who discover our kind or even come close to, usually by erasing their memory or relocating them. It is only on rare occasions that they kill the humans. That is how they get more money and power, they get rid of nosy or insufferable humans and payment comes. You can say they work just like a Mafia only with less bloodshed."
"A sea Mafia?" Georgi whispered.
"And recently, from what I heard, their leader recruited a whale shark from Japan," Mila included. "I didn't think it would be Minami but if he's a member and attempted to kidnap you, Victor, it's safe to assume that you have a group of angry sea creatures who want your head now."
"And Minami is a skater." Yuuri interrupted. "He'll have other members come with him undercover and they'll follow you to your competitions to get to you. So that's I'm asking this of you...Please Victor, as your husband and a member of the sea allow me to go with you so that I can be by your side and protect you from the Golden Troupe members!" He continued to insist. "The members will stop at nothing until you're relocated or even dead so please you have to let me be by your side."
"If it's for your protection Victor then I believe you're going to have to allow him to come," Lilia nodded with agreement. "Members are known to be devious."
"Then Victor would just get bodyguards," Yakov recommended with his arms crossed. "The reporters will not be merciful if they saw him together with the Cecaelia not without demanding for the significance of their relationship."
"They'll just say they're married," Yurio answered without hesitation. "That's what really happened. And bodyguards won't stop the idiot from wandering off or getting kidnapped right from under their noses."
"Absolutely not!" Yakov argued, already having a vein popping out of his forehead. "That would only cause chaos and the demand to know everything that leads up to their marriage. And I don't think that telling them the truth is very legal in your world, not even making up a random story will pass by without questions. The world is not ready to know that the legendary Victor Nikiforov is suddenly married from out of the blue."
"There is no way you'll have Yuuri stay hidden in!" Lilia argued with anger. "The only way to protect Victor from the Gold Troupe is to have Katsuki with him during his travels. A Cecaelia has many powers that can defend themselves and the targets and send away enemies much more efficiently than any human bodyguard or sea creature."
"Then how do you expect to explain their sudden marriage to the world without the consequence to come?" Yakov demanded as he and Lilia were glaring at each other enough to see electricity rage between them.
"How do you expect to explain to the entire sea creature population about the sudden need to hide Victor's husband?!"
"I don't know but it's better than no plan at all!"
"There is a plan and that is to allow them to stay together!"
"It won't work Lilia!"
"Don't tell me what works or what can't work!"
Victor didn't know what to say but he knew not to interfere with an argument between Lilia and Yakov. Those two can be merciless towards each other and their surrounding, he only hoped that Lilia wouldn't grab one of the skates like the last time those two were alone. How else did Yurio get influenced to refer to their skates as knife shoes? But that wasn't the point now, it was how to break the argument before it got too tense than it already is! We already had to witness their fights and then their divorce once, Victor thought to himself, glancing at how Mila and Georgi were avoiding any eye contact at the elder couple, most likely trying to distract themselves. Even after the divorce, they have a way to fight. I just want them to stop.
Please just stop, Mila pleaded. No more. I'm tired of having to be the one to listen to their arguments relating to the sea.
Is that really the time for this, Georgi gulped, not sure if he should just skate away or stay. I didn't think they'd argue this relentlessly.
Yuuri watched how restless Victor looked, even if he didn't want to show it, his husband was in distress. As Victor's husband, he would not allow him to be distressed any longer. So taking a deep breath, Yuuri shouted out, "THAT'S ENOUGH OUT OF BOTH OF YOU!" The rink was suddenly in silence as the elder adults looked back at the Japanese man in front of them. "You are divorced, and you guys really care about Victor's safety but arguing like that is not going to resolve anything even if we're the only people here in the rink. Just because we're from two different worlds doesn't mean we can't try to get along." Lilia and Yakov looked down in shame with their actions while Victor only stared in awe at how Yuuri single-handedly was able to interfere without repercussion. "Listen, if we all want to protect Victor from the Gold Troupe, I'm going along with him but we don't have to say we're married. We can act out as friends who just happened to meet because the ballet studio is right beside the rink."
"That's right," Yurio perked up at the suggestion. "I had to be trained by Lilia and you're the new guy Victor grows fond of and insisted on taking along to the competition."
"Exactly, it's not perfect, I may have to do some hiding here and there but it's better than bodyguards or telling the world about our marriage," Yuuri admitted. "It's the only plan I got but only if Victor agrees to this."
Lilia and Yakov glanced over to one another before sighing. "Fair enough."
Now all eyes were on Victor, who simply smiled. "Well..."
...The Next Day...
"At least you kind of asked him," Mila attempted to cheer up the moping living legend on the bench. Victor just lets out another frustrated groan on the bench and she just patted his head. "Okay, so he beat you to punch under certain circumstances, it's better than nothing. Besides, I'm pretty sure that you'd chicken out every time you have the chance to ask him. So think of it as the universe's gift to you. Even if you have a sea mafia group going after you and probably be a threat to your life."
Another groan.
Mila cringed as scratched the back of her neck, "Not helping, am I?"
Another pitiful groan.
...
Me: Urghhhhh, snow days are the best way to recover from high school hell
Victor: Yuuri, why must you beat me to the punch every time?
Yuuri: Sorry?
Victor: You don't sound sorry Yuuri!
Yurio: Stupid idiots. *turns to audience* Midnight hopes you enjoyed this chapter, review, favorite, and follow until next chapter