CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED FOURTY

Outside the train, the world was nothing more than a white blur. The ride's singular hot meal, which was really nothing more than a slightly-upscale microwave dinner, was set out in front of each passenger on their fold-down table. For every bite that Yurio was able to get though, Potya stole two, continuously pawing up at his fork as he brought it close to dislodge and claim whatever he had.

"...I guess I'm not eating..." He sighed, leaning back and abandoning his fare, and watching as the fluffy ragdoll went to town lapping up the gravy from the dish.

"Here-" Nikki started, shoving the last bit of a bun into her mouth like a squirrel, then reaching her hands towards the blonde's cat, "I'll take her."

"She's already claimed half my lunch...no point trying to claim it back." He shrugged, "What she hasn't eaten already will just taste like cat-butt anyway."

Viktoria coughed suddenly, trying not to choke. She bumped her fist against her chest to clear it up.

"What? It's true." Yurio huffed, "I love my cat to bits but she still li-"

"No, no, no...stop...no." Mikhail suddenly interrupted, waving a hand across the front of his neck, "No gross stuff at the table."

"...Alright alright..." The teen grumbled, turning eyes down to where Potya was licking her whiskers. He pat the feline's head affectionately, "It's okay. I love you, even if you do lick your own butt."

"YURI-" Mikhail barked desperately. He felt a sudden buzz in his coat pocket though, and went to reach for where he knew his phone was vibrating, "No dessert for a month...yeesh..." He paused in his thoughts as he spotted the Caller ID on his phone's screen, but thinking nothing of it, he smiled and answered, "Greetings and salutations, lovely lady."

Yurio watched the man quietly. He turned to glance to the left as he felt an elbow nudge against him.

"You can have some of mine if you're hungry." Nikki offered, "I only ate the bun..."

"Don't like the rest?"

"Ehhh..." She answered demurely, "My stomach isn't adapting to Russian cuisine very well. At least, not this kind..." She poked at the edge of the small tray.

"This isn't exactly cuisine..." Yurio pointed out, "Maybe my grandpa will have time to make pirozhki for you when we get to Mosco-"

"Vikki, let me out please." Mikhail's voice interrupted as the man rose from his seat. The oldest teen quickly shimmied from her seat, mouth too full to object or question it, but when it finally cleared, Mikhail was already wedging himself into a corner at the far end of their train car.

"...What was that all about?" Nikki wondered aloud, leaning into the aisle to look past the edge of their seats, "I hope everything's okay."

"I wonder if something happened in Osaka." Yurio commented, "That was Okukawa calling him."

Viktoria retook her seat anxiously, and the three teens whispered speculations among themselves. A pair of slate eyes watched them curiously, but quietly.

.

"Oh wow, they're having a whole concert on the ice tomorrow." Yuri commented, looking at the Opening Ceremonies event sheet, "It's just a cover band, but still...this ought to be a lot of fun."

"The JSF really hauled ass to put this together." Viktor added, looking at the schedule over his partner's shoulder, "I don't think any of this was scheduled before."

"Guess they're really rolling out the red carpet for you."

"You really think this is just because of me?"

Yuri shrugged, "They didn't do this for me last year."

The Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium was anything but a small locale. Located directly across the Aji River from the hotel complex and Universal Studios, it looked like a cinnamon roll from the outside, with a swirl pattern on its domed roof, and well-gardened trails of gradually-rising walk-paths that circled around the entire complex.

"Now I'm just going to feel guilty if I can only give the JSF one full year." Viktor sighed dramatically, pulling off his husband's back to look around the planning hall. It was already buzzing with activity, with dozens of event staffers and participants alike wandering through. His eyes caught on the sight of a gaggle of pre-teens following their coach around, "To be young again."

"If you were that young again, you would have the benefit of getting to walk around normally..." Yuri added, thumbing behind them at the swarm of reporters that had been hinged on their every movement since they first stepped foot on the complex, "I can't even pick my nose without them getting a photo of it."

Viktor laughed, draping an arm across the man's shoulders to pull him along, "If they did, it would be the most adorable nose-picking photo in history. But just think..." He leaned in closer to speak quieter, "In a few weeks, the photos these guys take are going to be posters tacked to the wall of some young aspiring skater's room."

That just made Yuri's face go red, "...I can only imag-"

"YUUURI-KUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!"

"Oh here it comes..."

The rumble of footsteps shook the ground like a stampede, but when the spunky young athlete finally came into sight, the two older skaters could see why. Running right at them, coming on the teen's heels, were a number more reporters, other competitors, and choreographer's alike. Minami stopped mere feet away, barely halting his advance before colliding straight into his idol, "YURI-KUN!"

"Minami-kun." He answered nervously, "...You're really out of breath. How long have you been running?"

"Five minutes!" The teen answered, giving something of a salute, as though he were reporting to a commanding officer, "I heard Asahi-kun was coming back and I knew I had to find you! Have you seen him yet!?"

"No… Viktor and I saw his name on the chalkboard at Starbucks earlier though so we knew he was coming." Yuri explained, then reaching his free arm forward, "But before all that...it's good to see you again. It's been a while."

Minami's light brown eyes opened wide, and looked watery already, throwing the older skater off a little. Before anything else could be said though, the younger figure lurched forward, attaching himself nigh-parasitically to Yuri's chest, uttering out a high-pitched squeal of delight. When he felt the outstretched arm coming around his back, the teen could hardly hold himself up, "I'm getting hugged by Yuriiiii~! This is the greatest day of my life!"

"He does have the best hugs." Viktor said happily, pulling the man's head aside to kiss it, "Right?"

"I can't honestly critique my own hugs." Yuri smiled anxiously, turning his eyes up at his spouse, "But if I had to rank them, I think yours are better."

The Russian just grinned and threw both arms over him. With Minami redoubling his efforts, Yuri was sandwiched between two overly excited skaters, hugging him tightly.

"Okay okay...I can't breathe now…!" He laughed, wiggling to try and get free. He was sure that a million different photos were taken before either of them finally let him go so they could walk again. They ambled around the building slowly after that, just taking in the sights casually for a little while, "So do you know why Asahi-kun was gone so long? I was sure he retired."

Minami, dramatic as always, whipped up a hand to speak behind it quietly, "I heard there was a death in his family; someone really close."

"Oh, so he was out on bereavement. I guess that makes sense. So he's better now?"

"No idea. Haven't seen him with my own eyes yet. I heard he doubled down after his official leave ended. He got a new coach and choreographer and means to come back with a vengeance." The teen explained, "I bet he thought you were the only one he had to worry about beating! I wish I could've been there to see the look on his face when he found out Viktor's on our team now, too!" He had his hands balled up into fists just under his chin, all but squealing with excitement. It faded suddenly though, and he looked up with those bog brown doe-eyes to his idol, "...A lot of people are really sad though, too."

"Sad?" Yuri echoed, "...Why?"

"Because Viktor's on our team now."

The two older skaters glanced at one another, then back at Minami.

"Since Yuri won Gold at Worlds last year, Japan can send 3 people to Worlds this season. Most people were pretty sure there would be at least 2 open spots to compete for, but with Asahi-kun coming back...and now Viktor, too..." The blonde explained with a sigh, hunching over dramatically, then flipping back up and around to point at the both of them, "You guys are a force of nature! I've actually seen a few people cry about this!"

"...That's..." Yuri started, his brow furrowed, "I don't want people to feel like that."

"What are you talking about!?" Minami harped, looking determined, "The people who are all upset about this don't know how lucky they are! They'll never be the best if they don't see what kind of opportunity just bricked them in the face!"

Viktor smirked, but Yuri was still a bit confused.

"No one will ever push themselves to be better if they don't have someone to show them how it's done!" The younger skater exclaimed, "Most of these people will never see a big International competition, so the idea of competing against the Big Guns like Viktor, or even Yuri Plisetsky, is a fantasy! I wouldn't be shocked if I found out Asahi-kun was coming back because of what you achieved!" He pointed straight between Yuri's eyes, making them cross slightly, "The only people who can win are the ones who aren't satisfied with being left in the dust! You have to want it, crave it...be willing to fight for it!"

The Russian stepped forward and gathered the petite younger figure up in his free arm, holding him up against his side like a bag of corn, "That's it. We're taking this one home."

"Wh-What!? Viktor!"

"Can't we keep him!?" The silver legend sarcastically begged, "We can dress him and Makkachin and Jiro up in little matching costumes and have them be our cheerleaders!"

Minami seemed rather pleased with himself, grinning at Yuri, only to spaz again and flip over under the Russian's arm, looking up, "Is that what you called him!? Your new dog!?"

"Mh!" Viktor nodded.

"Jiro! Kakkoii!"

"...Good grief..." Yuri sighed to himself.

"Oh. There you are." A new voice said, the words unexpected as they were sudden, "Katsuki Yuri."

Viktor was already snorting bitterly, dropping Minami to back him up in the aforementioned man's defense. They spotted a thin 26-year-old staring straight back at them though, black hair cut sharply into a slightly pointed shape behind his head, bangs messy in front with two teal-streaked longer tendrils hanging in front of each ear, almost to his collar-bone. He wore that self-same black and cerulean Team Japan jacket that Minami was wearing, and had his skates, the same Revolution blades Yurio sported, but in silver and blue, slung over one shoulder by their laces. He had both hands stuffed in his pockets, and determined eyes.

"...Asahi-kun..." Yuri whispered, staring at the daunting figure. He gave an anxious smile, "Hisashiburi, ne?"

Dark grey eyes lowered to where the two skaters were holding hands between themselves, and the rings on their right hands. Without blinking, those eyes rose back up, staring first at Viktor, who was still looking rather prickly and defensive, and then back down to Yuri, "So you're gay now, huh?"

"For him?" He wondered, nudging his head towards his perplexed spouse, "No question."

The Russian gaped at him, unsure what to make of the situation anymore.

"Jealous?" Yuri went on, making even Minami blush.

All eyes...the skaters', the media that had been following them around, and anyone in sight of them...were then trained on Asahi.

He just stared on defiantly...and then cracked a sudden smile, "You know I would be. Hisashiburi, Yuri-kun."

"I'm so confused right now." Viktor half-whined, "I thought you guys were going to be enemies or something."

"Frienemies." Yuri corrected as he dragged the man forward, stepping closer as the new skater moved forward in turn. They extended hands and shook once before Yuri gestured up at his partner, "Asahi-kun, you know Viktor. He's joined the JSF last week."

"I heard...and already part of our Olympic team." The lanky Japanese athlete reached the same hand towards the Russian then, looking markedly more friendly than he had a moment before, "Viktor Nikiforov, the legend himself. Nice to meet you in person, officially."

The Russian stared for a moment, but then let go of his partner's hand to shake the one offered towards him, "Have we met unofficially before?"

"We've shared a small handful of events in the past. You may remember me from that one NHK event where I landed a triple Axel wrong and had to drop out."

"Hmmm..." The silver figure pondered, putting a finger on his lip as he closed his eyes in thought. After a moment, he lifted his head, "Oh! Yeah! You barrel-rolled into the rink-wall, too!" He got more serious then, "That was ages ago though. Like...easily two girlfriends ago."

Yuri went pale, "...Since when did you tell time based on relationships?"

"'Two' is a smaller number than '10.'" Viktor teased, giving a wink, "I don't feel so old saying it."

"I was fresh into Seniors that season." Asahi continued, "Yuri was still floundering in Juniors."

"What? No I wasn't-"

"He was the only one out of the bunch of us that ever made it to the GP Final though, so I guess that counts for something." He shrugged, "And to go from near-disqualified at 6th, then to Silver, and then to Silver Plus..."

"Silver Plus?" Yuri echoed frantically, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You didn't actually win Gold, even if you walked out of the arena with it." Asahi clarified, "Silver Plus." He stepped closer and passed on the confused skater's shoulder, "Better luck next time, Yuri-kun. Ganbatte. See you around."

Viktor watched the slightly-younger athlete step away, waving with one hand as he made his way through the parting crowd like Moses through the Red Sea. Slate eyes turned back to Yuri though, "...Frienemies. Hm."

"I can't wait to beat you out there, Dickbutt!" Yuri called back suddenly, spinning on a heel to look for the man's reaction.

Viktor had a stark, nervous smile on his face, but listened curiously.

Asahi stopped dead in his tracks, looking dead to the world. He turned hollow eyes back towards the source of the voice, "...You dare call me by that name, after all this time..."

Yuri just smiled pleasantly, "More like...'you still have your hair like that, after all this time.'" He reached up to point at his slicked-back strands, "The Dickbutt Do."

The older figure turned around again to face him, making the media hum with excitement. Asahi pounded once on his chest with a fist, "FIGHT ME."

"Take Gold from me this weekend, and I'll never say it again." Yuri answered, "I swear it, on my life as a Nikiforov."

Grey eyes just watched him carefully, but Asahi smirked and straightened himself out again, "It'll be my pleasure then...to take the Gold from not just one, but two Nikiforovs. On the ice, then. Ja ne."

The crowd was buzzing with excitement at the challenge. Yuri was almost disappointed to not hear Mooroka's voice in that moment, declaring for all the JSF that bets had been placed. Once Asahi was out of sight again though, he deflated and sank down to holding his weight up with his hands against his knees, "Whew..."

"I'm even more confused now. Pleasantly surprised and excited, but still confused." Viktor mused, "...I have to ask though...why did you call him Dickbutt?"

"His hair." Yuri answered, lifting one hand to circle it around the back of his head, "It's like a chicken's butt, all fluffed up. But Asahi is a guy, so it's a Roosterbutt...but that takes too much effort to say...and since roosters are also called cocks...which in turn are dicks...so..." He raised his head, cheeks a'flush, "If we follow through on our metaphor...Dickbutt."

"...I see."

Minami leaned close to Viktor, pulling on the sleeve of his coat to get his attention, "That's why they're frienemies. Friendly in one moment...dishing out sick burns in the next."

"I wish I could say I came up with it." Yuri sighed, rising back up to standing, holding his hand on his heart for fear it might jump out if he didn't hold it in place, "...That was Chris, though."

"Chris has his hand in this?" The Russian laughed, tapping his forehead with a finger, "Suddenly everything makes so much sense."

"We were all Juniors together back then." Yuri went on, moving to snake his arm behind his partner's back, "I used to mostly listen...but I picked up a few lines from listening to Asahi-kun and Chris going back and forth. That's actually partly how I met Chris in the first place."

"This weekend suddenly took a really interesting turn."