Three days later, Yuuri was able to get out of bed. He was writing down things he wanted to say, though they were minimal. He still couldn't talk, and he still couldn't eat. Not that he really wanted to eat, his stomach was full enough with the butterflies flapping around. Wait, no, it was more like a nest of angry hornets. That was more accurate. Smoothies and soup were the only things Yuuri managed not to choke on, along with other liquids. Any sort of solid food sent him heaving over the closest trashcan.

After a failed attempt at porridge for breakfast, Viktor, Yuuri, and Phichit were lounging on the couch, talking about the upcoming season. Well, two of them were talking while Yuuri hugged his knees to his chest and listened. He still couldn't seem to find his voice. No matter how many times he opened his mouth in an attempt to participate, the conversation moved on without him, and he was left with his tongue frozen to his teeth.

"I haven't really decided yet…" Viktor mumbled after Phichit had finished telling them about his music choice and theme of 'conquering.' It was apt to change, Phichit tended to change his mind last minute when it came to skating, which Yuuri knew but couldn't tease him about. "I never really know until two or three months before competitions start."

"But your programs always look so well-rehearsed!" Phichit looked shocked, and Yuuri wanted to laugh. He really, really wanted to.

"Yes, well I practically live at the rink once I've figured things out, so I suppose I do get lots of practice in."

"Wow, you're even more impressive than I thought!" Phichit had to admit he still got a bit star struck when he talked to Viktor. "It's one thing to perform like that when you've known the routine for six months like the rest of us, but three months? Wow..."

Viktor just smiled. It had never seemed weird to him, although Yakov always nagged him to figure things out sooner. He supposed he always waited so long so he could prove Yakov wrong. He could win without the extra time. But when it came down to it, he probably trained the same amount as everyone else, just in a condensed time frame. So really, what was the point...?

Viktor's internal monologue, and Phichit's external monologue, were suddenly interrupted by Viktor's cell phone ringing.

"Sorry." He fished the small device out of his pocket, seeing an unfamiliar name on the caller ID. "Hello?" He was curious as to who was calling.

"Is this Viktor Nikiforov?" a man on the other end of the line answered.

"Yes, who is this?"

"Chief of police, Alexi Popov." He replied, confusing Viktor even more. "I'm calling regarding some DNA samples that were part of a case your fiancé was involved in."

"You have the results?" Viktor was suddenly on his feet, glancing between Yuuri and Phichit, who looked equally confused.

"Yes, I think it's better that we talk in person, can you and your fiancé come down to the station?"

"I can." Viktor confirmed. "He will not."

"Okay, whatever works…" he sighed. "Just mention my name and they'll let you through."

"I will be there in twenty minutes."

"What was that about?" Phichit asked as Viktor hung up the phone.

"Potentially finding out who hurt Yuuri." Yuuri curled tighter in his already condensed ball. "I'll be back soon, my love." Viktor assured, loving that Yuuri unwrapped himself to latch onto Viktor neck for a moment. "I'll bring Yurio with me, but Phichit and Otabek will stay here, okay?"

Yuuri nodded, thought he would have preferred to have at least one of them stay. Well, he would have preferred to have both of them stay.

"Hey, I'm here." Phichit smiled as Yuuri sat himself back on the couch. "Nothing's gonna happen."

Yuuri nodded, trying to force a smile and failing miserably.

"Come with me for a second, we need to talk." Viktor beckoned for Yuuri to follow. "Don't worry, I'll bring him back soon." Viktor smiled to Phichit, who looked uneasy. This was the behaviour he'd been talking about. The secrets, the vague wording… he wished he could just know what had happened. But it was clearly something they needed to keep hidden. At least for now.

"Yurio." Viktor nodded for him to follow as they passed the kitchen.

"Everything okay?" Yurio stood from the table where he and Beka had been talking.

"Possibly, possibly not." Viktor admitted. "Just come, please?"

"I'll be right back." Otabek nodded at Yurio's words, and watched as he followed the others out of the room.

Viktor lead the two to the back mudroom, Yuuri latched firmly onto his arm while Yurio fidgeted with his tiger t-shirt.

"The chief of police just called," Viktor kept his voice low, not wanting to let the others know what was happening, "they have the results from the DNA testing."

"And…?" Yurio pressed.

"He said I should go down there." Viktor sighed. "Didn't tell me over the phone."

"I'm going with you." Yurio demanded, his words being final.

"I figured."

Yuuri scrawled out a nearly illegible note in the small spiral notebook he was using to communicate, holding it up for Viktor to see.

"No, you're not." Viktor shook his head. "The doctor said you need to rest and shouldn't leave the house for at least week, and not engage in stressful situations for a while. I'll tell you everything I find out when I get home, okay?"

But it wasn't about finding out who they were. It was about being away from Viktor. Yuuri knew he wouldn't be alone since Phichit and Otabek were there, but Viktor was different. Viktor was home.

"I'll make it as quick as possible." Viktor promised, offering his arms to Yuuri and pulling him into a hug when he began to lean. "If he doesn't have the names, I'll come right home. If he does, I'll get them then leave, okay?"

Yuuri nodded against Viktor's chest, wanting to be brave for a change.

"I love you." Viktor whispered.

"You're safe with Phichit and Beka." Yurio assured. "If he could rescue me from a group of crazed fangirls, he can keep you safe."

Yuuri nodded again, untangling himself from Viktor.

"Do you want to sit with Phichit, or do you need to rest?" Viktor asked, watching as Yuuri scrawled Phichit's name onto his paper. It was bad enough that Viktor and Yurio were leaving, he didn't want to be totally alone.

Viktor returned Yuuri to the couch with Phichit, and discovered Otabek had also appeared in the living room, having claimed an arm chair.

"We'll be back soon!" Viktor called over his shoulder as the car he'd called pulled up in front of the house. "Call if anything happens!"

"They'll be okay." Yurio read the look on Viktor's face as they headed in the direction of the police station. "I promise."