"Since your grandpa is away, Dr. Kozar needs him to call and give consent for someone to take care of you," Otabek explained gently once he returned to Yurio. The boy looked so defeated it made Otabek's heart feel like it was being cut from his chest with a dull butter knife. "Would you prefer it to be Yakov or Viktor and Yuuri? Once you make your decision I'll handle it, okay? The person you choose will have to sign discharge papers, take you home, and carry out any treatment plans until your grandpa comes back to Russia and can take over as your legal guardian."

"V-V-Vik…" Yurio bit his tongue as he tripped over the name he'd said countless times. God he felt so helpless.

"It's okay, take a breath," Otabek reminded when he saw Yurio beginning to get angry with his newly acquired speech impediment. "Really think it out first, don't rush."

Yurio took a couple deep breaths, rehearsing the three simple words before attempting to speak them. He was so grateful to Otabek for not just interrupting and saying he got it from the first syllable, but at the same time, he wished he could just communicate with telepathy. His thoughts were clear, why couldn't his words be? "V-Vikto-tor and Yu-Yuuri."

"Good, I'll let them know." Otabek smiled when Yuuri managed to get the words out without fumbling too badly. He pulled out his phone and shot off a text saying Yurio was awake and aware, and that he needed to talk to Viktor in person. "Now, I highly doubt it will happen, but if Viktor and Yuuri can't do this for some reason, will you be okay with Yakov being in charge of you for a couple of days?"

"I g-g-guess-ss." Yurio shrugged. To be honest, he didn't really want anyone to have to take care of him. Yakov had a rink to run; he didn't have time to take Yurio to appointments or sit in meetings about his conditions. Viktor had Yuuri to worry about and they both needed to restart their training for the upcoming season. Besides, he didn't need anyone fussing over him. He was perfectly fine.

"Are you in pain?" Otabek's mild look of alarm would've gone unnoticed to most, but to those who knew him well, it was shocking that he'd show so much emotion.

"Wh-why…?" Yurio began to ask but soon noticed the blur in his vision. Then the wetness running down his temples. Goddammit, not again! Why couldn't he just get over himself and be a man for once?

"Hey, it's okay," Otabek soothed as the tears sped up. He wasn't sure why Yurio was crying, but all he wanted to do was make them disappear. He didn't need this. No one needed this.

"L-l-lay with-th-th me?" Otabek couldn't deny the request as the teary eyes found his. The unlikely eyes of his Yura, so upset, so broken.

"Of course." Otabek managed a smile as Yurio scooted over, giving him room to slide under the covers. It was a tight squeeze, but neither of them were complaining.

"Are you comfortable?" Otabek pulled the thin sheet up as high as it would come while Yurio nuzzled into his shoulder, making a pillow out of the joint.

"Y-yes." Otabek could have sworn he heard a smile. Yurio thought, really thought, before he said his next words, needing to get them out right. "I l-lo-love-ve y-you, Beka." He whispered, taking his time getting the words out so Otabek could at least semi understand them.

"I love you too, Yura." Otabek felt the smile grace his face and his eyes going bleary. He couldn't remember the last time he'd cried out of joy, but he really didn't need to. This time was good enough. It would be for as long as he lived.

For a while, the two just existed, holding each other close, keeping each other company in a comfortable silence. The bed was hard and lumpy, but they couldn't have cared less. Both of them were okay, and would be okay. Otabek forgot about the cast on his arm and Yurio tried not to remember what would happen when he spoke next. They just lived in the moment for the first time since Otabek had arrived in St. Petersburg. Up until now, they'd just been wondering about the past or worrying about the future, never just enjoying a moment together. It was blissful to be able to do that.

At some point, Yurio's eyes drifted shut and he found himself succumbing to the heavy pull of sleep. As if he hadn't slept enough in the past few days with his coma and all… Oh well. He let go and fell into the abyss, feeling safe in Otabek's arms.

"Sweet dreams," Otabek whispered when he noticed Yurio's breathing even out and his muscles relax. According to most doctors, rest was the be-all and end-all for most health issues, so why not sleep off a collapsed trachea and stutter? Well, when put that way, the thought sounded outlandish. Otabek just shook his head, timing his breathing to the rise and fall of Yurio's chest as it rhythmically pressed into him then relaxed away.

Not long after Yurio had fallen asleep, Otabek heard a soft knock at the door and looked up to see Viktor, Yuuri, and Phichit coming into the room.

"How's he doing?" Phichit was the first to ask, taking in the snuggle session that was taking place in the tiny hospital bed.

"Okay." Otabek didn't move for fear he would wake the boy next to him. "Shaken up, obviously, but okay."

"What did you need to talk to me about?" Viktor raised his arm, Yuuri swooping under it quickly. Yuuri looked like he wanted to cry at the sight of Yurio.

"Nikolai is away on a cruise, so Yuri has asked that you two step in as temporary guardians until he's able to catch a plane back to Russia." Otabek kept his voice low as Yurio stirred, hoping he hadn't disturbed him.

"Of course." Viktor didn't miss a beat with his answer. How could he say no? Yurio could be a complete asshole, but he was family. Viktor would do whatever he could to help him until his bloodline stepped in. "Who do I need to talk to?"

"Well…" Otabek glanced down at the green eyes that were slowly peeking out from the lids that kept them hidden from everyone else. Eyes that begged him not to leave. "Can you call Nikolai and have him call this number?" Otabek held out the card Dr. Kozar had given him, her cell number scrawled on the back. Yurio closed his eyes again as Viktor got close enough to grab the paper out of Otabek's hand, wishing to keep the human interaction to a minimum for the moment.

"I'll do that now," Viktor nodded. "Yuuri, are you coming with me or staying here?"

"I'll come." Yuuri hadn't managed to tear his eyes from Yurio's throat since they'd stepped through the door. He thought if Yurio had been awake it would have been easier. That if he could have said out loud that he was okay and didn't blame Yuuri for it that he might be able to forgive himself. He thought…

"Let's go then."