CHAPTER FOUR HUNDRED SEVEN
[So you're leaving from here?]
[Yup. We only went to St. Peter's to get Potya, and Yuri's things for the move.] Mikhail explained, waiting in line at the hotel check-out desk with the bear, [Thankfully he didn't have much. Mostly his cat and her things, and a few of the medals and such that he'd won since getting in Seniors.]
Kon glanced over the top of his in-law's head, spotting the three teens waiting in the wings with what little luggage they'd packed with them, [You mentioned that the girls were dropped into your lap because their mother died, but...it seems like that's all such an afterthought now. Didn't it just happen? You'd think they'd be a bit more upset about it but they act like it happened years ago.]
Mikhail looked over as well; the girls had started laughing about something, likely at Yurio's expense, since he quickly pulled his hood over his head to hide his face. Potya climbed up onto one shoulder and batted at one of the stray strands of blonde hair that still poked out, [Well... I don't like putting words in their mouths, but from the way they've described it, it's like they had already been grieving it for a long time already, cuz she wasn't the same person when she finally passed. She was just...some woman they lived with. Now they don't.] He sighed and turned to face forward again, stepping closer to the counter, [Feels weird to be grateful that this happened when it did. Their school won't be interrupted so much by all the travel.]
[You're going to take them to Japan though.]
[Yeah...as soon as I get there, I'll be putting my nose to the grind-stone to find them all tutors willing to deal with the time difference. Finding a new house there, selling the one in Edmonton...it's all gonna be a giant pain.]
[And your lady-friend.]
Mikhail sighed again and nodded, [And Minako, yeah.]
Kon roughly smacked a hand against the smaller man's back, knocking him slightly off balance, [Well, you always liked being the ruler of the roost, so you'll probably thrive on that kind of thing.]
[...Thanks, I think?] Mikhail stammered, putting his flatcap back where it was supposed to be, [What about you? The mill is all but shuttered now.]
The bear shrugged, [Not much to do in the middle of winter.]
[I know you'll hate to hear it, but maybe you should consider moving to the city during the cold season.] Mikhail suggested, [You can always go back during the summer.]
[Tat can't leave for milder weather.] Kon pointed out sharply, [I won't leave her to endure the snow on her own. Besides... What'll I do with the horse if I leave for half the year? It's one thing to have someone stop by to check on hay and water for a weekend...it's another entirely to find someone to board him. I'll stay where I am.]
[Why do I get this feeling that I'm gonna go up there to visit one of these days, and I'll just find your ass frozen to your chair?]
[With a glass of half-drunk whiskey in my hand.]
That earned a huff of a laugh, [Yeah, probably.]
Once checked out of the hotel, it wasn't long before paths would diverge. One would lead to the Aeroexpress Train Terminal on the way to Sheremetyevo International Airport, the other would lead to the Sapsan Train Terminal back to St. Petersburg. The Sapsan was approached first, and the behemoth Nikiforov patriarch stepped out of the rental van with his meager travel bag.
[It was actually kind of nice that you came, Kon.] Mikhail said, elbow sticking out of the car window in spite of the heat getting out, [Maybe you'll have reason to do it again in the future.]
[Maybe.] The bear answered, stepping up onto the sidewalk that lead into the station. He looked around briefly, but then back at his silver in-law, [Make sure it's an event my son's at next time though.]
Mikhail made a weird face at that, [I'm honestly not sure if the ISU will subject Viktor to a Russian competition again anytime soon. Not unless it's an international event. If the RSF is sponsoring it though...]
Kon laughed at that, [What, do you think President Putin's gonna poison him or something?]
Yurio leaned forward from his spot in the front passenger seat and gave quite the look, [Don't say shit like that.]
[Oh hush. Viktor may embarrass Russia in these competitions but it's not like he's a spy.]
[The first time he gets gut-sick after this is gonna make me nervous!]
[So don't let him eat raw fish.]
[HE LIVES IN JAPAN.]
Konstantin just grumbled at that, and took a step back from the van, [You'd better get going before someone starts getting annoyed.]
[Aright...well, see you another day, then.] Mikhail waved; the girls did as well from their spot in the next-back seat, [Have a safe trip back home. Say hi to my sister for me.]
"Da. Do svidanija."
.
Makkachin stood directly between his human's legs as the skating duo got ready to leave Yu-Topia again. Undeterred, the poodle held his ground, moving only enough to let Viktor get around as he needed to.
"Poor Makkachin thinks we're gonna leave him behind again," Yuri noted, crouching down in front of the woofer to scratch his head, "Don't worry. You're coming this time. You'll be with us for at least the next month."
"We should bring him with us State-side for 4C. Jiro, too." Viktor said simply, looping a scarf around his shoulders, "We can find a pet-friendly hotel if needed. It's still far enough out."
"...You sure about that?" Yuri wondered as he stood upright again, "Staying in a non-official hotel might cause us a lot of trouble."
"Trouble?" The Russian laughed in curiosity, "What trouble?"
"SMS went ballistic because people realized Asahi was in a hotel that fans were staying in." He said flatly, "Now imagine if it's us...and we have our dogs."
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. By then, I'm sure we'll have Jiro registered as a support dog anyway. We can start puppy classes before we leave..." Viktor started seeing the story play out in his head, "...and then we'll have another 2 weeks to finish the basics. It'll be fine."
"Puppy classes are for obedience." Yuri reminded stiffly, "The 'support dog' aspect is something a doctor recommends, I've learned. I have to get a letter for me, not for him...kind of as an excuse to let Jiro be around where he normally wouldn't be allowed."
Viktor deadpanned, "...Oh." He paused and thought another moment though, "...So we get a letter for me, too!"
That just made Yuri scoff, "A doctor's gonna take one look at you and say you're the least anxious person in the world." He turned back into the resort as he felt the cold air rush in from outside, and pulled on his Ravenclaw beanie, "Mom! We're going!"
"Aren't you going to sit in the onsen for a bit?" Hiroko wondered, coming into the doorway from the common room, a tray of sake and glasses in her hands, "You're leaving so soon."
"We need to get back and rescue Jiro," Yuri explained, "I'm gonna go to bed early too so I can meet with Minako-sensei. She'll leave me behind if I'm late by a second."
"I'll come by!" Viktor stuck his head back in, waving widely, "The dogs don't have to go to the vet till 9!"
"Alright! G'night then, boys! See you tomorrow, Vik-chan!"
"Byeeee~!" The silver Russian called as he waddled back out again, Makkachin still between his legs with each step.
"Bye!" Yuri called quickly, taking off to catch up before his partner could slip and fall. It wasn't far to find their car, but it wasn't that far to rink-side either when Viktor slipped in the first place; Yuri would take no chances. One arm quickly went around the man's lower back to hold him steady, and they plodded around the wall to the little red Audi that waited for them there.
Makkachin only came out from between Viktor's legs when the car door was open and the seat moved aside for him to jump inside, finding his place on the blanket that covered the back row. He barked once and went back to softly panting as the two men got in on their respective sides.
As the small car turned on, Yuri slid his hand across the center console as he always did, pressing his palm against his husband's thigh, and rubbed his thumb, "I'm sure we can figure out some way of getting Makkachin to competitions with us."
"Most of the reason why I couldn't try before was because I shared the room with the rest of the Russian team, and they didn't want a dog around. Plus, I couldn't get anyone to watch Makkachin for me when I had to leave him behind somewhere." Viktor explained, turning his eyes slightly to look at his partner, "But since it's just us now...I can always leave Makkachin with you, same as how you can leave Jiro with me. I think it'd be amazing if we could find a way to take them both with us."
"Same. We're gone so much during competition season..."
"And to think, maybe...we could've been bringing Makkachin with us all this past season..." Viktor sighed dramatically as he set his foot down on the gas lightly to ease out onto the street, "If this works out, I'm gonna be super salty about the missed opportunity."
"Sometimes inspiration needs a nudge in the right direction... Maybe my panic attack on Saturday was it." Yuri shrugged, watching the lights pass over the car as it moved, "And Jiro really helped a lot yesterday, too."
"When you walked off during the Exhibition?"
"Yeah." He nodded, "If I didn't need to take him outside for a minute and feed him, I probably would've let my thoughts get out of control worse than they did anyway. I guess...having a puppy to watch after gave my mind enough of a 'purpose' that I could stay calm through it all."
"...Did you get everything out when I asked you about it later?" Viktor wondered quietly, "Or was there more?"
"No...I think I got it all out. If not when we talked at the hotel, then at the Banquet after." He lifted his head and glanced aside, "How come you want me to go with Minako-sensei tomorrow though?"
The Russian was quiet for a moment, trying to articulate his thoughts, but then shrugged, "When we were on our way to Osaka in the first place, Minako mentioned how she kind of hoped that you and her could've gone alone after all. After all the things that have happened in the last 2 years...not even with my Uncle and all that he entails currently, but me showing up as well...I thought, maybe she'd feel better if she had a moment that felt like old times, before it got complicated. Just you and her on the train to Fukuoka."
"After this weekend, I guess I'm just surprised that you're willing to let me go on my own for so long."
"I don't have to worry about Minako trying to kiss you. ...Do I?" Viktor turned his head, a teasing look on his face, "Or have you had a thing for her all this time that you've just convincingly denied?"
"No way," Yuri answered easily, "My one true love is in this car with me."
"That's wh-"
"Makkachin."
Viktor snorted a cough, surprised by the B-line, only to catch sight of that very poodle licking his husband's face. He guffawed expressively and pressed a hand to his chest, "Yuri! I'm hurt! You were in love with my best friend all along! That's why you got Vik-chan, isn't it!"
"Sorry to say, but...it's true... I've been admiring Makka from a distance all these years, ever since you were 16 when it was Kubochin and I had no idea." He answered, "Asking you to come be my coach was just a ruse to get him here..."
"Oof this is getting too real for me," The Russian laughed nervously, "My heart can't take the joke right now."
"Sorry." Yuri mused, pulling the man's hand over to kiss his ring, "In my defense, you did start it."
"I know..." Viktor sighed, spreading his fingers out to lace them through the ones that still held onto him, and settled the pair of hands against his partner's leg, "My heart and my ankle are the same, I suppose. When nothing is messing with it, it doesn't hurt...but the slightest reminder of what happened makes it act up again."
"Sounds like I should be the one trying to make Euros fun for you, not the other way around."
"Why don't we just agree to make it fun for both of us."
"I think I can agree to that."
Viktor suddenly gasped, "I have a great idea."
"Eh?"
"We should have a bachelor party."
"But we're...not...bachelors...?" Yuri grimaced.
"Tut tut... Technicalities. We're getting married again. The time leading up to that could be like bachelordom."
"Aren't bachelor parties normally done apart from one another though...? Having one last night of reckless fun before you start being responsible?"
"Oh."
Yuri smiled nervously, "Well, it was a good idea in theory I guess..."
"We should both get drunk at Euros then. Since Yurio's got Minako as his coach now, Yakov and Ciao Ciao won't be there to pull us off each other." Viktor winked at his partner excitedly.
"Yakov will be there with Georgi and Mila..."
Eyes went wide, "Damnit." He turned back to watch the road.
Yuri's face was red in any case, "I don't know if it'd be such a good idea to set ourselves up like that though. Everyone got footage of our antics at NHK..."
"But we had fun though, right?"
The younger figure gave a flushed nod, "I don't remember half of it, but...what I do remember was fun, yeah."
"Ah, yes...that's something to consider... Letting you get buzzed, but not drunk-drunk. So I don't have to keep buying you apology flowers." Viktor laughed.
"All you really need to do is keep a bottle of lube handy..." Yuri pointed out, glancing aside.
The Russian's face was red then, and for once, he had no words. All he could do was stare, mouth slightly open as the car came to a stop at for some lights.
"...Since, unlike me, you don't make enough of your own."
"OhmygodYuri."
The look the young man gave was deadly serious though...until he cracked, and suddenly the both of them were laughing. It was enough that someone had to honk their car-horn at them to get them to pay attention and move again.
Viktor fanned himself as the car started picking up speed, "Whew...I can feel that one through my whole body." He wiped a tear away and put that hand back on the steering wheel, "I thought you didn't like talking about that stuff out loud."
"Only in front of others." Yuri explained, feeling the tightness and heat in his face starting to fade as his embarrassment ebbed, though he still felt the flutter in his chest, "Maybe if I was less of a verbal prude, we'd have fewer misunderstandings about some things..."
"Oh?"
"Y-Yeah..." He stammered, feeling his palm getting sweaty where Viktor held onto it, "...Like the...thing under the bed." He looked over to his partner nervously, "Maybe I wouldn't have had a cow about it."
"Hm...it's okay though, my love. I can't expect you to be as adventurous as I am in everything." Viktor rubbed his thumb over the fingers he held, and turned the car to head down their street, "You've given me far more than I ever expected anyway."
Yuri just sighed heavily though, "But it's just a toy. You'd think, with as offended and upset as I got, you'd invited Chris into our bed with us or something..."
The silver legend laughed nervously, "Well, technically I did do that to you once...but we weren't officially in a relationship at the time..."
"Oh, that time in Barcelona?" The younger figure wondered with a slightly-embarrassed smile, spotting their house on one side of the road, "I kind of feel like we were, it was just...unspoken?"
"Really?"
"Yeah...I mean, you pushed the beds together and everything... We'd spent nearly every waking moment together for the eight or nine months before that. The one time you had to leave, it was like agony being apart..." Yuri explained, leaning slightly as the car turned that final corner to get into their meager driveway, "I'd known the panic of possibly losing you already, from early on when Yurio first turned up...but actually being away from you, even for just those few days during Rostelecom...and again later between Cup of China and NHK..."
With all the houses so densely packed together, their entryway was a small, covered alley between the buildings, with a 6-foot stone wall protecting the road-side of the house from traffic and pedestrians. On the other side of the small one-way road was another wall, with a long line of naked, snow-covered bushes on top, blocking the view of the much-taller building across the way from them. The road itself was barely large enough to give space for the small Audi to turn into the drive, and it was dotted with tall wooden power-poles and the cables that hung between them. The hard plastic cover over the driveway made the trek from car to door an easy one, without the need to ever shovel snow or dig the vehicle out in the morning. When the car stopped and doors started to open, the pair could hear Jiro barking from inside, though Viktor wouldn't let go of that hand just yet.
"I can't promise that something like that won't ever happen again, but for all that it hurts to be away...I have to admit..." He started, looking fondly across the center console, "The feeling we get when we meet again makes it worthwhile, don't you think?"
Yuri perked up, and nodded deeply, "Yeah!"
Viktor felt the flutter then, and leaned forward, finding a happy kiss there, "Let's get inside then before our fuzzy child has an accident from the excitement."
"You wanna make some mulled wine to cap the night?"
"If you make the Kotatsu pillow-pile."
"Done."
"Perfecto~! Let's do this."