CHAPTER SIX HUNDRED TWENTY SIX
Going from ultra-normal-loafing-around mode to semi-formal-going-out-in-public mode was something of a show in itself. Different suits were set out on the wide, high-top bed, with different ties, shirts, and socks to match. Mikhail considered each one, standing around in not but boxers and a t-shirt, hand on his chin.
Minako watched from one of the lounge chairs by the windows, but even she was getting mildly impatient with the process. She sighed and leaned back, and crossed one leg over the other, "We're going to sit in the audience of a figure skating competition," She complained, "Why are you so worried about how you look?"
He decided on a pair of grey-black socks with red woven into its pattern, "Because I'm meeting my youngest daughter's future husband." He answered simply, though that just earned a sputtered guffaw from his fiancé, "You mock me?"
"Her future husband? Hun, they're just friends." She explained, and tried to catch her breath, "They've only known the other existed for like...two months."
"All the same." He puffed, and looked at each of the three suits on display, "If I have to meet and talk to him, I have to consider it seriously. I'm being asked to give my blessing to the contact between my child and an older boy. A man. How can I think anything less of it?"
"You're being asked to give Otabek permission to unblock her, not marry her."
"He's a potential suitor."
"He's a figure skater with a very short list of people he likes to interact with. It just happens that they both have a mutual associate in Yura. He's at the age that made him the perfect bridge between the two." Minako pointed out, and was relieved to see the Russian grab the gunmetal-black glossy suit and dark burgundy shirt to go with it, "And here you are, dressing up like a vampire to meet him."
"Not a vampire."
"You're going to suck the soul right out of him before you say yes."
"I just want to make sure he knows that Nikki won't be the only one he scorns if he hurts her." He answered, and looked up at the woman dutifully, "I heard this funny comedy sketch once about it... To all the boys who may date my daughter, it goes, and the guy talks about all the memories and magical experiences he's had with his daughter. Rubs it in real good how important she is to him. Points out that he'll be waiting on the deck at 9pm with a shotgun and the boy better bring his daughter home safe and early. After he's done with the whole bit, he even adds... To all the ladies who may date my daughter...my wife is a better shot than I am."
Minako deadpanned.
Mikhail shrugged helplessly, "It's funnier in the skit."
"You're going to terrorize him into thinking it's safer to keep her blocked." The ballerina sighed.
"Would you prefer to soften the blow before I get there then?"
"...Soften the blow?" She echoed, and watched those chosen articles assemble on the Russian's tall, thin frame, "You mean butter him up?"
"You talked to Asahi before that meeting with Viktor." He pointed out, "You softened the blow."
"...Oh." Minako grumbled, "...That was as much for Viktor as it was for Asahi. After all the prep we did, Viktor was ready to get arrested for the sake of exacting his vengeance on that kid. You have the benefit of not coming into the middle of a crisis. It's just a misunderstanding."
"So, what...you want me to just say 'hey unblock her, it's fine'?" He asked incredulously, and looked back over a shoulder as he threaded the tie around his popped collar, "It can't be that simple."
"Maybe not in so few words...?" She said, and pinched the bridge of her nose before she rose to stand. She stepped across the wide floor, heels thumping lightly on the waxed hardwood floor, and nudged the Russian around to face her and tied a fancy Eldredge knot in place of the basic Pratt knot she knew Mikhail was starting, "Just be like...'Hey, I'm Mikhail, Nikki's dad. I'm concerned about the fact that you're five years older than my kid and that things might get inappropriate if you get to know her too well. In your own words, reassure me that won't happen and explain why I can trust you.' Then, let him do the talking."
"Mhr..."
"It'll be better to have him convince you of his merits than it would be to just terrorize him into being on his best behavior all the time." She added, and pat the tie down flat once she was done. She then reached for the vest, tucked away on its own sub-hanger inside the jacket, and held it up for the man to slide his arms through. He turned around as it came up to hang onto his shoulders, and faced the mirror again to slip the buttons. "Viktor had a good point though when he mentioned that Otabek lives full-time in Almaty. Their friendship would be nearly exclusively online. Nikki wouldn't be traveling on her own at any point while she's still a kid, so anytime they are in the same place at the same time, she wouldn't be alone."
"I can't justify keeping a leash on her when she's older though." Mikhail admitted grimly, "Not when Yura runs around on his own."
"So then task Otabek with the responsibility of being Nikki's guardian." Minako suggested, "I mean...he already kind-of is... He was ready to pay nearly $600 to fix her phone screen."
"Hmph... How much did he pay?"
"Nothing. Yuri and Viktor picked up the tab so he wouldn't have to. But...Nikki still thinks he did, because he said he would, and he wanted to keep his word."
Mikhail grumbled anyway, "Neither of them have mentioned that."
"You have enough to worry about. If they wanted you to comp them for it, they would've asked you to." She explained, and moved forward to slide her arms around the man's frame, nose pressed to the back of one high shoulder, "Anyway though...just...go easy on the guy. He has no idea what's coming."
.
Yuri packed his big backpack with all the essentials; a thick, fleece blanket, a bag of cough lozenges, chap-stick, water, and a special seat-cushion for staying in the stands. Beside him, Viktor already had his gear-bag ready from the morning, and spent the moment checking-over his costume instead. The garment bag was unzipped and the outfit inside exposed. "I think that's everything," Yuri commented, and closed his pack, "You ready?"
"Of course." Viktor answered, and zipped the bag up, then moved to wrap and tie it so it wouldn't drag while carried. He pulled it up and slung it behind his shoulder, then turned to his partner and reached for a hand, "You sure you're okay with all this?"
"It's fine." He reassured, and leaned in to offer a hug, "Between my sad predicament yesterday and the explanation you gave for it after to the reporters, I think everyone understands. I feel worse for disappointing the JSF than for not making it to the Free Skate."
Viktor nodded quietly, and pressed a kiss to that tied-up black hair, "Alright..."
They picked up what remained of their things and headed for the door, followed eagerly by the pack. The rest of the crew was already in the entry foyer, and all eyes looked up as the SkateHusbands came into view. To their surprise, it was quiet, and they glanced around awkwardly, "...Why is it so silent in here...?"
Viktoria shook her head and sighed, but then gestured with both hands towards her father, who till that point had been partially hidden by his coat and hat. When he finally had his arms down though, the situation was obvious.
"Papa Mimi..." Viktor said with a sigh, "Why are you like this?"
"Like what?" He asked, and turned around, revealing that his hair had been slicked back under his flatcap.
Viktor grumbled slightly and shook his head, "You're going to give Otabek a heart attack. Is this a friendly chat or an interview?"
"Interview." Mikhail answered a bit too easily, "I actually think this would be the best way."
"Why."
He thumbed at Yurio, "Because of how they became friends."
Yuri and Viktor both paused, but realization dawned, and their eyes opened a bit wider, "Ooooohhhhhh..." They both uttered, and slinked by to find their coats and boots.
"And that was Beka's idea, so I'm just-"
"Otabek." Minako corrected.
"Huh?"
"Not Beka. Otabek."
He narrowed his eyes uncomfortably, "It's how Otabek approached it...so...I will, too. I will reserve the right to terminate his employment as my daughter's friend at any time."
"Dad!" Nikki groaned. She turned towards her older sister, and sarcastically held out her hand, "Good day to you, madam. I shall report to you within a fortnight on the success or failure of this most-important expedition."
Viktoria couldn't help but play along, and firmly accepted the handshake, "I look forward to your missive. Good fortune on your journey."
"You guys make it sound like we're going to war." Mikhail puffed, "It's not that bad."
.
Jiro lead the way into the arena, tugging lightly on his harness as he sniffed at everything in his path. Unlike in previous days though, this time, the pup finally had an official-looking vest. Red with black patches sporting white 'emotional support dog' letters, Jiro looked as much the Security Pup he'd been nicknamed.
Yurio looked perturbed about the whole thing though, which Yuri was quick to pick-up on, "What's the matter?" He asked, though he knew the answer.
"Wearing a vest implies he has training. He's not even six months old. Anyone with two brain-cells to rub together will know he has no training." The teen answered glibly, "People with real service animals are treated like loonies because of this."
Yuri just made a face, "I have a letter from my doctor back home. If I wanted to abuse it, I'd have asked for a vest for Makkachin and Ghost, too." He explained, "I did get Makkachin on the letter, too, after all."
"Still."
"Still what?"
"You're not even skating today. What do you need emotional support for?"
"Bringing Jiro here is as much for his benefit as it is for mine, skating or not." Yuri answered with a shrug, "I want to be sure he's used to the environment so he doesn't get spooked when he's older."
"He's an Akita. Why would this spook him?" The Russian Punk asked, and spread his arms out in presentation of the arena, "He was practically bred to fight Japanese mountain bears. This is nothing."
"Because he's not even six months old. He's like...just over three months. Still a baby."
"In human terms, he's basically like a four year old." Yurio pointed out, only to stop as he realized the group had paused ahead of himself. He looked back to Yuri, "Guess this is where we part ways. Try not to get sick again while you're sitting around in the stands all night."
"Don't jinx me." Yuri huffed, but stepped in to give the teen a quick hug anyway, "I brought a bunch of stuff to keep warm. I'm sure I'll get a hot chocolate or something later, too."
"Good. It won't be satisfying to beat you at the Games if you're still choking on lung-butter."
Viktor chortled a laugh, "That's one way of putting it."
"Alright, see you guys later then." Yuri waved at the group, "Text me where you are when you find your seats."
They all waved, and each group went in opposite directions. Jiro snuffled the way for the SkateHusbands, as if he could somehow tell exactly what way to go to get to the prep area, despite the signs. It wasn't long at all before they popped back out within the rink-side of the arena, and made their way around to the skaters' observation section. GuangHong and Leo were already there, but Phichit and Minami were conspicuously absent.
"Oh, they're both up in Group 1." Leo explained, "You didn't see them in the prep space?"
"Must've gone right by them," Yuri answered, and started to assemble his 'nest.' Seat-cushion, blanket, and a lozenge for good measure. He popped Jiro onto the seat next to himself, and Viktor took the aisle on his other side. It wasn't long before he felt the buzz in his pocket, and he spotted a photo of himself from the Rozovskys' vantage. A quick glance around, and he spotted them almost exactly opposite himself in the middle section. He settled back down after that, and pulled his blanket up a bit higher over his shoulders, and finally leaned against his husband's shoulder, "And now...the wait."
