Author's Note: The puppies' names came from the reviewers/commenters lol (and I just followed the 'tradition'-"name-chin"). And Viktor wasn't the only one who named them. Just making that clear. Anyway, thanks for the love and support!

Miwaku: I don't own Yuri! On Ice. (Don't tell me you're sorry 'cause you're not...FF.)

WARNING (more like surprise): There will be animals talking (like legit talking) to each other and they could understand one another. Humans can only hear them as animal sounds. And I know all of us love the animals in YOI.

Chapter 24

Yuuri breathed in then out. The smell of the beach and the seagulls were so familiar to him that he could also call it home, aside from Hasetsu.

He, Victor, Yurio and his cat, and the all the poodles were finally back in St. Petersburg; he and Viktor for a more formal training under Yakov (and Lilia, in Yurio's case). The Grand Prix Final was around the corner and all of them need to do their best to give it their all in the competition.

'Forever Love...' Yuuri smiled when he remembered their theme for the season. He knew this season was going to be the season he will never forget. He will skate with all his heart and love.

'For Viktor, my family, my friends, the poodles.'

"Yuuri! Let's go to the ice rink and help me with the puppies. They're being very energetic again!"

"Okay, Viktor!" He zipped up his jacket and took both of their duffel bags.

It was a new day of training and everyone is getting ready.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Quiet down, everybody!" Makkachin barked out. "And sit down!"

The puppies, who were previously playing with each other, scrambled to get in line and sit quietly. There were still some pushy paws but not too distracting anymore.

Aprichin chuckled quietly and leaned to whisper, "You're taking this father role easily."

Makkachin snorted. "Yeah right."

"A father role?" Diana rolled her eyes. "I'll see it when pigs fly."

They were currently in the small lobby of the ice rink where their owners were practicing their routines for the competition. While it was training day for the humans, it was also the same for the puppies who need to learn the basic ways of life.

The ten poodle puppies were now almost six weeks old. They were old enough to start being curious about the dog food their parents were eating and to walk a lot, despite being a bit wobbly. But most of all, they were old enough to start potty training.

"Alright, you can't always rely to us when you need to do your, uh, potty things." Makkachin winced at how weird it sounded. "So we're gonna teach you."

The puppies all shared a look with each other in confusion until they stared at one who was moving restlessly. "Makichin..."

Makichin yipped. "I. Need. To..."

"Oh god, no." Diana turned away, her tail fluffed up. "That is just disgusting!"

When it was over, Makkachin looked at Aprichin who just deadpanned and walked away to probably get a mop. "That's why we need to teach you potty training, to let you control your...urges until you get to the place where you can do it. Is that clear?"

"Yes, daddy!" The puppies barked at the same time.

Makkachin smiled. It still felt so surreal that he was a father and that he has a lover. For so long, he was only a lone poodle with Viktor as his forever companion and owner. Then Yuuri came into his owner's life and he had two owners. But then, he discovered another poodle, weak and malnourished, but full of spunk and pain that he could not let himself go away without helping her.

And through that, he met his own 'life and love', as his owner would say. Aprichin might not be her original name but he did not care. The apricot-colored poodle could be called a million other names but she would still be the same poodle that he fell in love with.

Then, more poodles came into his life in the form of little puppies. They were practically the physical manifestation of his and Aprichin's love. He was scared though that he would screw up their growth. He never had to interact with puppies before. But somehow, he and Aprichin made it work. (Even if sometimes, he does not know the name of the puppy. Luckily, the collars have tags on them with their names on it.)

When Aprichin came back and managed to clean up the...mess, they started the training. There were a few scuffles here and there but all was fine.

Makkachin hoped it was going to be like this forever.

No poodle noticed that Diana was picked up by somone.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Yurio slid to a stop into his final pose, panting and sweat running down his face. The music stopped and he relaxed his body. His green eyes went to Lilia's form.

"You did well, Yuri." Lilia nodded. "Take a break then we will go again."

"Alright." He skated out of the ice and sat down on the benches.

It was tiring, repeating the routine over and over again, jumps and all. He was used to it and he was glad Lilia pushed him to his limits.

Suddenly, he shivered. A cold draft from the ice passed through his body, cooling his sweat. He rummaged through his bag for a jacket but he did not find it. "Fuck, I forgot!"

"You mean this?" Then, a larger-for-his-size black leather jacket dropped on his shoulders.

Yurio knew that voice almost intimately and it made him shudder, not because of the cold but the warmth seeping in his body. "Beka..."

"Misiq." Otabek sat beside him and placed an arm on his shoulders. "I see you're working hard. But to forget a jacket inside an ice rink? Russians are really weird."

"Oh shut the fuck up." Yurio nudged Otabek with his shoulder but did not remove the arm. In fact, he became closer to Beka's body. 'Holy shit, what am I doing?' He noticed some hair on the jacket. "Are these from Diana?"

"Yeah, I actually picked her up from the lobby and dropped her by the furnace. It seemed that she was fed up from the poodles."

"Who wouldn't be fed up with having twelve poodles with you all day long?"

"Actually, now that I think about it..." The arm tightened and pulled Yurio closer to Otabek, as if it was an unconscious action. "They were doing some crazy stuff there. And there were a lot of poop and newspapers."

"I don't even want to hear about that!"

Otabek laughed and it was deep and full of happiness that it relaxed Yurio. He decided, 'Fuck it.', and laid his head on Beka's shoulder. He never realized just how much he missed being physically close with Beka. They lived in different countries, after all. And unlike Yuuri and Viktor's case, they did not want to stay in the other's country because of their families (Beka with his siblings, Yurio with his grandfather). They only got to see each other during competitions (that is if they are in the same one) and the occasional video calls.

Yurio felt a hand stroke his blonde hair and smiled. Then, he realized, "Wait, what are you doing here anyway?"

"It's a surprise for you." Otabek murmured. "I wanted to see you again. It's been so long."

Yurio blushed as he asked, "Was it worth the wait?"

"Definitely."

And he was just fucking glad that Beka could not see his face, flushed red, as of the moment.

"Yuri..."

Yurio blinked in surprise. He never got to hear his real name often so it always caught him off-guard when someone says it.

"Will you be my boyfriend?"

"Wait, what?!" Yurio shot up, shocked as hell.

"Will you be my boyfriend or not?" Otabek repeated and his face was neutral but Yurio could see the faint blush on the cheeks and the way his eyes seemed to look at anywhere but him.

'Is he...embarrassed?' Yurio could not take it. He went for the first thing that came to mind. He kissed Beka on the lips.

And then, he was pulled by the waist and the kiss went deeper.

'Oh my god, is this real?!' Yurio breathed heavily as their lips separated. "What the actual fuck, Beka?"

Otabek just smirked. "Well, that's better than when we sealed our friendship with a handshake in Barcelona."

"Damn!" Yurio laughed and hit the chest he was leaning on. "You had to bring that up."

"Of course, my soldier, my misiq."

Yurio grinned widely. "My Beka."

"Our children are really growing up, lyubov moya!"

"Viktor!"

Yurio growled and glared at the old man and Katsudon. "You better shut your damn mouths!"

"Yuri Plisetsky, no unattractive words! Get back on the ice and go one more time!"

Yurio growled once more but stopped when he felt something on his head and heard the familiar clicking sound when a photo was taken. He looked at Otabek who was snickering. "Hey, what did you put on me?!"

"Just some cat ears." Otabek showed the picture he just took and Yurio cringed at it. "I dare you to practice with that on."

Yurio smirked. "I'll take that dare. In exchange, take a picture of me. It better be aesthetic."

"Sure." And Otabek snapped a photo. He blinked at the resulting image. "Wow."

"Let me see." Yurio gawked at the picture. He was smirking and his green eyes were bright and full of fire. He actually almost looked like a tiger. "I like it! Post it in Instagram."

"Yuri! Get on the ice!"

"Fine!" Yurio gave back the jacket then winked. "Laters then." He felt so fucking happy that he almost forgot Yuuri and Viktor but he decided to just ignore them. He wanted to do his best in his performances so he would give it his all. "I'm ready!" And off he went.

Otabek, in the meantime, smiled a little when just as his post was uploaded, a lot already sent hearts and comments were flooding in.

My soldier. My misiq.

TO BE CONTINUED

Author's Note: Shit, guys. I had fun with OtaYuri lol (WELCOME TO THE MADNESS!) Anyway, heads up! We're getting nearer!

Expect in the next chapter: Goyang, Cooing, Plans

See you next time!