Super short chapter, that conveys how I've been feeling lately (a lot of you can probably commiserate). I've got a serious case of winter depression that makes writing (and pretty much everything that isn't sleep) difficult. There's no plot, no drama, just fluff and silliness and lots of Otabek and Yana being stinking adorable together. I just need some warm fluff in my dreary life.

Otabek was at the kitchen table pouring over his notes from his afternoon class. It had been a month since school started and already he was feeling the pressure. The first two weeks were tough and it was difficult to get into the swing of things. His teachers expected excellence from all of their students and Otabek aimed to please them. It had been quite the transition, going from international figure skater to student, but so far, Otabek was enjoying it. The classes, while difficult, were interesting, and most of the students were nice; once they got over the fact that he was a retired figure skater.

Otabek was trying to memorize his anatomy notes when Yuri walked in. He dumped his skate bag by the door, hung up his coat and trudged down the hall. He didn't even acknowledge Otabek's equally tired, but genuine smile. Yuri kept walking as if he were alone in the house.

"Well hello to you too," Otabek mumbled, going back to his notes.

Yuri emerged from the bedroom a few minutes later, hair in a messy bun, old sweats on, and one of Otabek's hoodies hanging off his thin frame. He had Malysh in his arms and his phone tucked into the waistband of his pants.

Otabek noticed the hoodie hanging off his thin frame, and exhaled. Yuri wearing his hoodies was always a sure sign of Yuri being at the end of his rope.

"Hey." Otabek said quietly, "you okay?"

Yuri walked past him, and rifled through the cabinet, "There are no snacks in this house." He grumbled.

"No, not since I cleared them all out a few weeks ago. Check the back of the cabinet there might be something I missed."

Yuri reached back, Malysh starting to squirm in his arms. His fingers landed on a crinkly package of cellophane.

Please be something good.

He pulled out a half-empty package of oatmeal raisin cookies. Not great, but passable. He tucked the package under his other arm and made himself a nest of blankets on the couch. He pulled his favorite blanket around his shoulders, wanting nothing more than to block out his day. Malysh settled on top of the blanket, kneading happily while chirping for a few crumbs of oatmeal cookie.

Otabek was still waiting for an answer.

"Yura?"

"Hmm."

"You okay?"

Yuri sighed. "I dunno, just kind of blah today."

Otabek knew exactly how he felt. He'd woken up with the same dark, melancholy feeling that morning. The sky outside had been gray and cold for weeks. It was mid-April, but Winter still had the city in its clutches. It seemed like all of St. Petersbourg was near the breaking point. Everyone had the same tired look, and the same slow, shuffling gait. It was as if the entire city would rather stay bed and not get out til the weather shifted.

Otabek shut his books, pushing them aside. "I feel the same way."

Yuri tucked his feet under the blankets and ran his hand over Malysh's soft gray fur. Otabek heard the sad sigh that left Yuri's lips. He got up and settled on the other side of the couch and gave Yuri a tug in his direction. It didn't take much coaxing to get Yuri to curl up against him. Malysh was a little indignant at having to rearrange herself, but eventually, all three of them settled into a warm ball of blanketed softness.

Yuri sniffled. The runny nose he'd been fighting all week was misery enough, but now the sensitive skin around his nostrils was red and irritated. He buried his face in Otabek's chest, the soft, worn sweatshirt Otabek was wearing felt warm against his chilled skin. Otabek stroked Yuri's forehead, hoping to iron out the tension in his brow.

"Did something happen at the rink today?" He asked. He felt Yuri shake his head against his chest.

"No," Yuri grumbled, "that's just it. Nothing happened, it was just like every other day. Everyone looks bored and tired, and just fucking done with everything. I swear if the weather doesn't change soon someone is gonna snap, and I'm afraid it might be me. Can you believe Mila and I actually got into an argument today over the way proper way to lace skates? That's how aggravated and petty everyone's become. I know it's just the dreary weather, and the fact that it's the off season and everyone is bored, but it still sucks. It's like we go to the rink and just wait out the clock. No one's working on anything new, there are no competitions to look forward too. I just hate this time of year. It's slow and cold, and nothing interesting ever happens."

Otabek hummed in agreement, "It hasn't been much better on my end. I'm still not used to this whole school schedule thing. I miss the rink and being with you and our friends. Everyone at school is perfectly nice, and they're easy to be around, but it's just not the same. I know I'll get used to it, but right now I'd gladly take six am training over getting on the bus for an 8 am class. I'm so used to being constantly in motion that I've been fighting off sleep in class. It doesn't help that they jack the heat up. With the teachers droning on, and the heat it's just a recipe for a coma. It's even worse after lunch, I have to bring a cup of coffee with me to class, or I'm out like a light."

Yuri gave him a gentle squeeze. "Wanna watch a movie and tell this day to fuck off?"

Otabek nodded, "There's leftovers in the fridge. We don't even need to cook dinner."

"You pick the movie, I'll heat up food?" Yuri asked.

Otabek was already flipping through Netflix. Yuri felt his stormy mood lighten just a little. This was what he needed. A few hours of peace with Otabek, a good movie, and some hot food in his belly.

Yuri was balancing two plates of food in each hand when the doorbell rang. "It's open!"

Victor, Yuuri, and Yana were all standing in the doorway.

"Hey, guys." Yuri called, "come on in. I'd offer you food, but I'm afraid it's just leftovers."

Yuuri shook his head, "No thanks we already ate. We thought we'd-"

"I want Beeka." Yana grumbled, already squirming out of Victor's arms.

"You guys feel as shit- whoops," glancing at Yana, "I mean, as cruddy as we do?"

Victor set her down. She made her way over to Otabek and climbed into his lap, and let he head slump onto his shoulder.

"Hey Yana, did you have a yucky day too?" Otabek asked, smoothing down her curls.

She nodded into his neck, her bottom lip stuck out.

"Yana had a rough day at preschool, but it sounds like all the other kids did too. Everyone is antsy from not being able to go outside. I think we're all feeling gloomy right now." Victor said, slipping his shoes off by the door, "Yana's been crabby for Otabek all afternoon, I've got a headache, and Yuuri can't warm up. We thought we'd come by to see if you guys wanted to watch a movie at our place, just for something different, but it looks like you beat us to it."

Yuri handed Otabek his meal, he balanced it on the arm of the couch as Yana continued to cling to him. "Come join us. There's plenty of room."

Yuri sat down next to Yana, only slightly disappointed that she'd taken his spot snuggled next to Otabek. He'd just have to wait til she fell asleep, then he could reclaim it.

Yuri grabbed a few more blankets and filled the electric kettle. They didn't have much in the way of snacks, but there was one cookie left in the package. He handed it to Yana who munched on it happily.

With hot mugs of tea in hand, they all curled up in various positions on the couch. Yuri was balled up with Malysh in his lap. Yuuri and Victor sat with their arms around each other, and Yana curled up on Otabek's lap. They let Yana pick the movie, none of them cared what they watched, Yana would be out like a light after a few minutes anyway.

A half hour into the movie and Yana was still wide awake. She'd moved to the floor, and sprawled on her belly watching her movie in rapt silence. Yuri had reclaimed his spot next to Otabek, which gave Yuuri and Victor more room to get comfortable as well.

No one spoke, everyone too warm and relaxed to make any sort of conversation. Yuuri and Victor snuggled under a single blanket while Otabek stroked Yuri's hair.

"So Otabek, how is school?" Yuuri asked.

"It's alright, I've got my first test next week. I'm a little nervous about it, but I feel like I know the material well enough."

Yuuri set his mug on the coffee table, "How are the other students?"

"They're nice enough. Some of them recognized me from skating. They couldn't believe I was just a student like them, but after a few days, things settled. Now I'm just like everyone else in the school. I kind of like it. No special treatment, no one grilling me on skating. It's a relief to just be treated like a normal person for once."

"I felt the same way when I went to college. It was nice not having anyone notice you."

"I can't imagine what it's like, not being recognized." Yuri chimed in.

"I can't either. I don't remember a time where I wasn't recognized." Victor said, sipping his tea.

Otabek scratched his fingers through his blond hair, "It's different for you and Victor. You guys hit it big early in your careers. Yuuri and I had to work harder at it. We never did have the fan base you two have. I don't think there will ever be a time where you aren't recognized Yura."

Yuri shifted so Otabek could scratch the back of his head, "True, I think I'll always be apart of ice skating in some way. If not a skater, then a coach. I mean, it's not like I know how to do anything else."

Victor nodded in agreement, "Why do you think I coach now? The last thing I wanted to do after I retired for good was go back to school. Could you imagine it? Me at thirty-four with a backpack and a pen tucked behind my ear? I'll just stick to what I know thanks."

"I think that sounds kind of cute actually," Yuuri said shyly.

Victor waggled his eyebrows, "maybe I'll keep that in mind for another night."

Yuri groaned, "Guys, keep it G rated. Yana is right there."

Victor waved his hand in her direction. "Are you kidding? She's deaf to the world right now. Watch. Yana, how would you like a pony, and six puppies?"

Silence. Yana hadn't heard a word. "See," Victor laughed, "deaf as a post."

"I wish I was deaf to your flirting" Yuri grumbled.

The conversation went into a lull for a few minutes, all of them watching the movie. Yana laughed out loud at a funny moment. That seemed to rile her up a little. She bounced from lap to lap, until she settled back into Otabek's arms once more.

"Yana, is Beka your favorite?" Yuri teased, tugging at the leg of her footie pajamas.

"Yes!" She giggled, digging her bony elbows into Otabek's stomach as she struggled to get comfortable. Otabek held still until she settled, and then relaxed.

"Why is Beka your favorite?" Yuri asked, dying to hear the answer.

"Beeka's a bear! I'm a bear too!" Yana giggled, she turned to Otabek and growled like a bear. Otabek growled back, raising his hands up like claws. Yana squealed as he tickled her until her cheeks turned pink.

"Yana, what kind of animal is Yuri?" Otabek asked.

Yana pondered the question for only a moment and then leapt into Yuri's lap. "A kitty! Mrowr!"

Yuri caught her just in time. The heel of her foot had come dangerously close to a very sensitive area. He'd lost count of how many times she'd inadvertently injured his junk while they were roughhousing. He was the only one that wrestled with her, so groin- related injuries were inevitable. He was getting better at catching her, but he still wondered if a cup would be handy to have around. "You better believe it kiddo. What kind of animal it Daddy?"

Yana stood up, balancing herself on Yuri's legs. She was enjoying this little game, the movie forgotten for the time being. Yana had to think for a moment. "Daddy is...is…"

Yuri cupped his hand over her ear and made a quiet snorting noise.

"Daddy is a piggy!" Yana jumped into Yuuri's arms.

Otabek gave Yuri a shove, "Don't teach her that!"

Yuuri laughed, "It's okay Otabek. I've sort of embraced the whole piggy thing. We actually have a picture at home Yana drew. I'm a pig, she's a bear, and..." he turned to Yana, "What is Papa?"

Victor was holding out his arms waiting for her to jump.

Yana squealed, "A doggy!" and leapt. Victor caught her and showered her with kisses.

"That's right!" Victor laughed. Yana settled down and became engrossed in the movie once more. Yuuri was playing on his phone when he sat up with a gasp.

"Tomorrow's forecast says it's going to be in the fifties tomorrow!"

Yuri checked his phone, "Oh heck yeah! I am definitely leaving the rink early tomorrow! I'm not spending my afternoon cooped up inside."

Victor nudged Yana, "You want to go to the park tomorrow afternoon?"

"Yes! Park!" Yana exclaimed.

"I'll come with you guys. We could have dinner after." Yuri said, already excited about having something to look forward to (even if it was just a trip to the park and dinner). He looked sadly at Otabek "I wish you could go."

"I only have morning classes tomorrow, my afternoon class was canceled, the teacher is out sick. Tell you what, since it's going to be nice out I'll come home, grab the bike and pick you up from the rink. How's that sound?"

"That sounds great! Text me when you get out of class and I'll be ready when you get there." Yuri snuggled back into Otabek's arms, "finally something to look forward to."

The movie finished about twenty minutes later. Yana was asleep, Yuuri was also snoring softly until Yuri gave his arm a gentle shake.

"Come on Yusha, we should head home. We'll see you guys tomorrow."

Yuri got up, leaving Otabek to stretch and yawn. "Looking forward to it."

They left Leaving Yuri and Otabek to clean up and then head to bed. The shifted in bed until they were comfortably entwined. Otabek held Yuri's quiet laughter.

"What's so funny?"

"If you had told me a few years ago that I'd one day get excited about taking a two-year- old to the park and having dinner after, I'd have said you were crazy. I guess it doesn't take much to keep me entertained anymore."

"Well, that makes two of us, cause I'm looking forward to it too."

"God Beka, when did we get old?" Yuri teased.

"I don't think we're old, we just prefer simpler things now. Nothing wrong with enjoying a trip to the park with our niece. I bet there will be tons of people doing the exact same thing tomorrow. "

"I suppose you're right," Yuri tucked the blankets up to his chin, "just promise that you'll kill me the second I suggest going out to dinner before 6 o'clock. I don't ever want to be that old."

"I'll make it quick and painless, I promise." Otabek chuckled.

"Good, as long as we understand each other." Yuri kissed him goodnight and drifted off to sleep.