Even when the world is against you, we're still here
Yuuri and Viktor drop their phones and rush to Yuri’s room. When Yuuri tries to open the door, it stays shut. The door was locked. And oh, the harsh sobs that were coming from the other just broke Yuuri and Viktor’s hearts.
Viktor pounded at the door, trying to reach Yuri from the other side: “Yura?!”
He knocked again.
“Yura! Please open the door!”
More sobs echoed. Along with them, the familiar tune of a notification rang from the inside of the room, teasing them about how their son’s private comfort was exposed to the world. And if that sound was coming from the inside, that meant Yuri still has his phone with him, and THAT meant he was stuck in his room by himself with the problem, he was stuck with his thoughts.
And that rose a red flag.
Yuuri tries to speak next: “Yuri! Please, let us in- don’t open your phone!” He yells after another notification sound rang: “I know, it’s horrible! But please- just…Yuri, please open the door! Yuri?!”
Makkachin’s barks next to them were loud and full of worry. Potya's sad mewls came from the corner, the poor thing terrified for her owner. Tears started to fill Yuuri’s eyes as he got nothing but more harsh sobs, they didn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.
“Viktor…” Yuuri chokes out: “Get the extra set of keys! Please! I don’t think he can hear us…”
And Viktor, without hesitation goes to fetch them, leaving Yuuri at the door listening to the heart-breaking sobs from the one person they swore to protect.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The floor was cold. The room was dark, he forgot to turn the lights on. The phone was the only source of light at the moment.
Why was he shaking? The floor is cold, but not to the point he’s shaking like a leaf on a windy day. He’s still shaking! Why can’t he breathe? Why was his sight blurry? He could only see smudged outlines of his room. Why can’t he breathe?
‘I can’t breathe…’
‘I can’t see…’
‘…it’s cold…’
Yuri takes a huge gasp, his hands falling from his face as he lifts his knees a bit from where he was seated in the corner of the room on the floor. He looks down at his hands and sees them shaking.
‘Why am I shaking?’
‘Breathe…breathe dammit breathe!’
Yuri gasps again, shutting his eyes, trying to find any bit of oxygen to keep his sight from staying blurry.
‘I can’t see…’
‘Where am I?’
BARK! BARK!
‘…my ears…why are they ringing so loudly?!’
Yuri gasps for air again as he hears the loud sound of a repeating notification coming from his phone. He looks down at the lightened-up screen and sees notifications flooding from- a quick look at the app picture- Instagram and Twitter…
Instagram and Twitter…?
Insta-…the pictures!
They saw the pictures!
Yuri’s eyes widen and he struggles for air, he averts his gaze from his phone and clutches the chest of his over-sized sweater (or Viktor’s sweater that he wore to relax- he’s not relaxing!
A sob escapes him again as hears more pounding on the door.
‘Stop…it’s so loud…so cold…why can’t I breathe?’
‘Still shaking…I need to stop shaking…why can’t I breathe?!’
‘They hate you now. They think you’re pathetic, feminine. Oh yes, Yulia Plisetsky-‘
At that dead name, Yuri screams, his hands going over his ears as to try and block out that voice taunting him: “NO! No! No…”
~~~~~~~~~~~
As Viktor placed the keys into the lock, horrifying screams come from Yuri.
“YURI!” Yuuri calls out in utter worry: “VIKTOR! THE DOOR!”
The man turns the key and freezes, eyes going wide.
“Viktor?! Viktor, what’s wrong? Why’s the door not open?!”
Viktor takes a deep breath before loudly cursing: “DAMMIT! His key is on the other side, my key isn’t able to get through!”
Yuuri goes pale and starts shaking. Yuri was locked in his room, alone, screaming, crying- why can’t he see?
“Yuuri, focus!” Viktor’s hands hold his face into place and he can see clearly again. Viktor smiles softly at his husband and reassures him: “I’ll get a hammer or any other tool to break the door down, alright? You try and get to Yuri from here, love.”
Viktor disappears from his sight and Yuuri breathes in and out three times to calm down. Yuri needs him, he needs him to be strong for him. In the end, hopefully, they’ll both be okay.
Another loud chime of a notification followed by a string of others echo through Yuri’s loud cries and small words.
…Wait…notifications…it’s night time…notifications-THE GROUP CHAT! THEY COULD CALL YURI FROM THE INSIDE WHILE YUURI AND VIKTOR TRY TO GET IN FROM THE OUTSIDE!
Yuuri runs to the kitchen where his phone was on the counter as Viktor looks through the toolbox in search of something that could help. Opening his phone, he saw a bunch of notifications from the group chat…
***
Otabek: WHAT?! WHERE?!
Mila: Oh my God! THEY ARE ALL OVER THE SOCIAL NETWORK!
Georgi: YURI! OH MY GOD IS HE OKAY?!?!
Seung Gil: What the fuck?! How did this happen?!
Christophe: Viktor yuuri! Is the kitten okay?!?
Minami: They’re not answering! What happened?!
Isabella: I swear to God, I’m about to throw hands! What the fuck!
Phichit: I AM SO MAD RIGHT NOW!
Emil: YUURI! VIKTOR!
Crispino Twin 2: WHO DID IT?!
Crispino Twin 1: SOME ASSHOLE ON INSTA! THE GUY EVEN MISGENDERED HIM!
JJ-style: Okay, THAT’S IT
Leo: WHY IS YURI GETTING TAGGED!!??! THE FUCK!
Guang: YUURI! VIKTOR! GET YURI AWAY FROM HIS PHONE!
Christophe: VIKTOR!
Emil: YUURI! VIKTOR! YURA!
Mila: Oh god oh god og hod
Crispino Twin 1: Mila, stay calm love! We’ll get through this! Stay calm!
Georgi: YURI! PLEASE IGNORE THE NOTIFICATIONS ABOUT THE PICTURES!
***
It was chaos…
***
Yuuri K.: Guys I need your help, now!
Phichit: Thank GOD! What do you need?!
Mila: WE’LL DO ANYTHING
Otabek: IS YURI OKAY?!
Yuuri K.: Yuri locked himself in his room with his phone. He’s crying, screaming and I’m mostly sure he’s having a panic attack and his thoughts are getting the best of him. I need at least one of you or all of you to call him so he doesn’t hear the notification sounds!
Christophe: Say no more
Minami: Right on it!
Yuuri K.: Phichit, media
Phichit: With fucking pleasure
Yuuri K.: Viktor and I are trying to get through his door. Please hurry guys!
Mila: I’ve started a group call, but he’s not answering!
Georgi: Keep trying! We’ll reach him sooner or later!
***
~~~~~~~~~~
‘Where is that sound coming from?’
“Yuri! Please! Pick up the phone!”
‘…Mama…’
Yuri blinks, snapping out of whatever trance he was in. He’s still breathing irregularly and harshly, his vision is still blurring in and out, his body was still shaking, and his ears were still ringing. Yuri looks around him, trying to find the source of the strange music. His eyes land on his phone, a few feet away from him, ringing with the ringtone music he set specifically for the group chat.
It’s quiet…too quiet, Yuuri’s voice is gone and all Yuri could hear was the ringing phone.
‘…Pick up the phone…Mama said to pick up the phone…’
‘Don’t pick up the phone.’
‘But Mama said-’
‘Don’t pick up the phone.’
Usually, Yuri would be listening to the evil sound in the back of his mind, but on rare occasions like now, he didn’t. He gasped for breath again and slowly dragged himself on the floor towards the ringing phone. His vision keeps blurring, but his hand finds the phone and he eagerly lifts it to see the screen.
The group chat was having a video call.
His hands were shaking, he embarrassingly took a couple of seconds to actually click ‘answer’. When he did, he never felt more relieved to see the faces of his family.
------
Mila: “YURI!”
Georgi: “OH MY GOD! HE ANSWERED!”
Christophe: “Yuri, how are you? You alright kitten?”
Yuri, gasping slightly for breath, shakes his head gulping, unable to form a coherent answer.
Otabek: “That’s okay, you’re going to be okay.”
Mila: “Yuri, can you hear me properly?”
Yuri nods, wiping at his nose with his sleeve. Why was it so hard to breathe? Where the heck is the oxygen when you need it?
Mila: “Okay, that’s great! Now, I want you to breathe with me.”
Yuri harshly croaks out: “…I can’t…”
Isabella: “Yes, you can. You’re okay.”
Another notification sounded through Yuri’s phone. All the skaters on the call heard it. Otabek, who saw Yuri about to look up and read it, yelled out through the call:
Otabek: “YURI CLOSE YOUR EYES!”
Yuri, panicked, shuts them immediately.
JJ Leroy: “Don’t read whatever they’re saying. Ignore it all.”
Seung Gil: “Whatever they’re saying is a bunch of bullshit! Now focus with Mila, breathe in and out.”
Leo: “As much as I’m shocked that Seung Gil just cursed, he’s right. Breathe Yuri- Yuri, you can open your eyes now.”
Yuri slowly opens his eyes and leans back on the wall, gasping and gulping, he tried to steady his breathing.
Mila: “Alright, Yuri, breathe in. Breathe in.”
Yuri does so.
Mila: “Good- 2, 3, 4- let it out.”
Yuri gasps, slightly panting now, he continues to listen to Mila’s instructions.
Mila: “You’re okay. Now, breathe in for 4 seconds.”
Yuri does so.
Mila: “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7- let it out for 8.”
Yuri brings his focus to the countdown and exhales for eight seconds, just like Mila said.
Georgi: “You’re doing so well, Yura.”
Otabek: “You’re okay. We’re right here.”
Emil: “Keep doing that. Breathe in and out.”
Yuri couldn’t stop the tears falling from his eyes, but he was able to keep trying to steady his breathing and bring his sight and mind back to focus.
Isabella: “There you go, you’re doing great.”
Christophe: “You’ve got it. In and out, bud.”
Phichit: “We’re so proud of you, Yuri. You’re doing well.”
Suddenly, a loud thud of a hammer echoes from Yuri’s door. The poor boy jumps and his breath gets a little unsteady.
Michele: “Yuri! Yuri! Look at us.”
Sara: “Look at us, sweetheart. You’re okay.”
Yuri looks back down at the phone screen, seeing all the skaters.
Emil: “Don’t panic, you’re safe. That’s just Yuuri and Viktor.”
Michele: “They’re just trying to get in.”
JJ Leroy: “Breathe Yuri, in and out, just like Mila told you to do.”
Yuri brings a hand, unconsciously, to his mouth, looking up as another thud of a hammer comes down on his door. His hand is shaking and he unknowingly bites down on it, tears falling.
Otabek: “Yuri, no! Hand out of the mouth.”
Isabella: “Don’t do that, look at us, you’re safe.”
Yuri looks back at the screen and it breaks the skater’s hearts when they see his terrified expression. The thudding didn’t stop, and while he was told it was Yuuri and Viktor, he couldn’t stop the panic, and his breathing was still unsteady.
Seung Gil: “Yuri, close your eyes. Breathe in and out, don’t think of anything but that.”
Yuri sobs: “…I-I can’t…”
Seung Gil: “Try. That’s all I’m asking for.”
Yuri stays silent, staring at the screen for a bit before closing his eyes tightly and holding his breath for a second or two. He exhaled and breathes in and out, slowly.
Seung Gil: “That’s it.”
Minami: “You’re doing great Yuri-kun!”
Guang: “In and out. You’re okay.”
------
The door suddenly flies open causing Yuri to jump at the loud bang and squint his now open eyes at the light coming from the hallway. His shaking starts up bad again but quickly slows when he sees Yuuri rush into the room with Viktor behind him.
Loud, heart-wrenching sobs of relief escape Yuri as he drops his phone and opens his arms for Yuuri who sees the desperation in his eyes.
“Mama! Mama!!”
Yuuri kneels to Yuri and scoops him in a tight and comforting hug. One hand on his back, the other stroking his hair. Yuri sniffles through his sobs as Viktor makes his way to them quickly and starts rubbing Yuri’s back gently. He was safe now. Safe with them. That’s all he needs right now.
“You’re okay, you’re okay. Yura, we’re right here, don’t worry.” Yuuri speaks softly.
The skaters, still on the call, sigh in great relief. Yuri was okay and safe. They all knew Yuuri and Viktor were always the number one greatest comfort for the boy.
Viktor, having heard their sighs, picks up the phone. Yuuri looks up as he’s hugging Yuri with his own tears filling up his brown eyes, he sniffles and mouths a ‘thank you’ to the group behind the screen, Viktor sending them a sad smile as thanks. Some lift a thumbs up, others just smile, and some nod.
------
Mila: “Text us when all is okay.”
Phichit: “And don’t worry, Yuu. I got a solution to this mess.”
Yuuri starts crying more, but this time his tears were ones of happiness. It was going to be okay. The skaters brighten up at the news and Viktor looks up at the ceiling, whispering a ‘thank you’.
Yuuri: “Thank you, Phichit.”
Phichit: “No problem! Now, comfort your son. We’ll be here.”
------
Yuuri gives one final nod before Viktor leaves the call and they both turn to Yuri. The boy was, thankfully, stably breathing and his tears seem to stop.
“Hey baby,” Yuuri whispers to him calmly: “You’re okay. You’re safe now.”
Yuri’s sobs come to sniffles at Yuuri’s words. He was safe. Yuuri and Viktor were here. He was going to be okay…hopefully. He lets out a harsh sniffle as some tears start falling.
“Sh, sh. You’re okay, kotenok.” Viktor says, rubbing Yuri’s back reassuringly: “Let it out if you want to. Just breathe in and out.”
Yuri listens and breathes in deeply, letting it out slowly.
“That’s it, you’re okay.” Viktor smiles.
A few minutes go by.
Yuuri and Viktor sat on the ground in silence, holding Yuri close. Yuri’s sniffles slowly came to a stop and all that was left was some dry tears on his red cheeks. Even if their knees hurt, Yuuri and Viktor did not move, they sat there the whole time, whispering reassurances to Yuri whenever needed. They rubbed his back, stroked his hair, kissed his head, and praised him for being able to slowly calm down. Yuri just held on to Yuuri, sometimes mumbling:
“Mama…Papa…” Just to make sure they were truly here and that he wasn’t alone. He felt safe, loved, and protected from the world with them in moments like this. Nothing could hurt him, that’s how he felt with them around.
Those few minutes, while they were hard and slightly upsetting, were precious to the family as means of them bring together through thick and thin, a reminder that yes, this was their family, they’re together and we're not separated. They were safe.
Yuuri slowly breaks the hug, Yuri’s hands still clutching the arms of his shirt as he brought his hands on the boy’s face, wiping away the dry tears and stroking his cheeks comfortingly. Yuuri smiles softly as he stares at Yuri’s blotched teal eyes.
“Hey, baby. You feeling better?”
Yuri nods.
“That’s good. I’m glad.”
The edge of Yuri’s mouth twitched up a little.
“Why don’t I make us some hot chocolate now?” Viktor asks: “Would you like that sweetheart?”
“…Um…I don't know…” Yuri mumbles unsure.
“That’s okay.” Viktor reassures: “Why don't we eat some dinner first then? Hot chocolate after. Does that sound nice?”
“…Mhm.” Yuri nods slowly.
“Come on, let’s get up, baby,” Yuuri says, slowly standing up, Yuri’s hands still clutching his sleeved arms.
Yuri looks around him as if to make sure he could stand up safely. Yuuri and Viktor wait patiently. The boy slowly gets on his feet, still clutching Yuuri with Viktor’s hand on his back as support.
He stumbles.
“Whoa! We got you.” Yuuri says, holding Yuri from under his arms as Viktor places his hands on Yuri’s waist for support.
They know that Yuri’s body gets weak after a panic attack, so they hold him until he’s steady and hold him as they move him from one place to another. When his panic attack gets really, really bad, they’d sometimes carry the boy around with no problems. This is what they signed up for. They signed up to care, comfort, and support Yuri no matter what.
Yuri steadies himself on his feet and looks up at his adoptive parents as if asking what to do next. Yuuri and Viktor smile and slowly guide him out of his bedroom out into the hallway.
Potya and Makkachin, who know to wait out at incidents like this, perk up when their owners come out and slowly make their way towards them, not in front, but following from behind. Yuri smiles slightly their way before looking before him to not stumble again. Potya and Makkachin always worried for Yuri, he and his parents knew this. Really, these two were just the best pets ever.
Yuuri helped Yuri onto the couch and sat beside him. Viktor headed to the kitchen and got three plates of dinner for them to eat. Usually, they would eat in the kitchen, but today was an exception, Yuri needed them right now, that’s all that matters. Yuri snuggled up to Yuuri and sniffled, Viktor put his plate away and picked up Yuri’s. Yuuri and he can eat after.
Yuuri smiled as Viktor began feeding Yuri slowly, making up a small conversation. Yuri slowly ate his spoonfuls, but his parents were patient and didn’t care how long it took to him to eat his food, their plates aren’t going anywhere, they could eat whenever.
“Here’s the last bite, kotenok,” Viktor says, holding up the last bit of food on Yuri’s plate.
Yuri eats it looking down, seeming slightly guilty.
Viktor notices and puts the empty plate down on the living room table: “What’s the matter, sweetheart?”
“…I’m sorry.” Yuri croaks out, upset.
“Sorry for what, baby?” Yuuri asks, breaking the small cuddle they were in to take a good look at him.
“…For…for being a burden…” Yuri whispers.
Viktor and Yuuri turn sad. This wasn’t the first time Yuri said this about himself, he’s said it before, almost after every panic attack as well.
“Oh, Yura,” Viktor sighs: “You’re not a burden.”
“You never were, never will be.” Yuuri says: “We love taking care of you, it’s our job as parents. We’re here whenever you need us.”
Yuri knows this, but he somehow can’t control himself. He says things that he doesn’t mean to say, do things he doesn’t want to do, it’s a mess. He knows that he doesn’t burden Yuuri or Viktor, but a stupid voice in the back of his head can’t seem to take a hint and shut up.
“…I’m still sorry…”
“There’s nothing to forgive.” Yuuri smiles, kissing Yuri’s head.
“But if it makes you feel better, we accept your apology,” Viktor reassures.
They both lean closer and bring Yuri into a group hug, Yuri happily hugging back. Makkachin and Potya nuzzle the boy’s legs from beside the couch in comfort causing him to smile down at them slightly. It wasn’t a big bright smile, but it was better than nothing.
“I got an idea,” Viktor says, not breaking the hug.
“Never a good sign,” Yuuri smirks playfully.
Yuri giggles as Viktor lets out a dramatic gasp: “You wound me~ It was a good idea!”
Yuuri laughs: “Okay, okay, what is it, Vitya?”
“Why don’t we turn on Yuri’s favorite movie? A night full of cuddles! We could also eat our dinner through the film.”
“That sounds nice,” Yuuri replies. He looks down at Yuri: “What do you think, baby? Would you like that?”
Yuri shyly nods: “It sounds good.”
“Alright, I’ll start the movie. Yuuri, darling, can you bring a blanket or two?”
“Of course.”
Yuri hesitantly lets go of their sleeves as they get up. Potya takes this chance to jump up on his lap and nuzzle his stomach which Yuri smiles at and pets her head. Makkachin barks happily, seeing Yuri smile after a hard time made her happy. Yuri sighs out a laugh as he rubs Makkachin behind her ears, the dog happily accepting the gesture.
Yuuri and Viktor smile at the sight as they come back to the couch, Yuuri wrapping the family and the two puffballs in the giant family blanket they have. Viktor grabs the remote and places it beside him as the movie starts. Yuri snuggles up to them both as they start eating their dinner. They both smile and place a kiss on his head each before digging into their food.
“You’re safe, Yuri. You’re safe here.” Yuuri smiles.
“We’ll protect you from the world outside that door. Just relax.” Viktor says.
And Yuri gladly does relax, a smile growing on his face.
The family spent that night snuggled up, watching Anastasia with their pets, Yuuri hoping to hear how things turned out with Phichit tomorrow. But as of right now, they’re together, happy, content, and safe.
Yuri fell asleep with them, protected and relaxed. He was okay.
~~~~~~~ Next Morning ~~~~~~~~
“That’s good! Now, try drawing a smile~”
“…Like this?”
“Aw! It looks so cute!”
Viktor enters the kitchen to see Yuri frosting some cookies with different faces as Yuuri watches beside him. They took a break today from practice which Yakov and Lilia understood, so they’re staying home for the day to stay out of any meetups with fans regarding yesterday.
Yuri places his smiley face cookie on the plate of already frosted cookies and gets another one to start decorating. The oven suddenly starts beeping and Yuuri heads to it, pulling out another batch of cookies they both made. The Japanese skater leaves them on the table so they could cool and looks up from seeing Viktor from the corner of their eyes.
“Good morning, Vitya!” They smile.
Yuri turns from the counter and smiles at Viktor as well: “Morning Papa!”
“Good morning to you too!” Viktor greets them both, making his way towards Yuuri giving them a sweet morning kiss: “How are my two angels doing this morning?”
“We’re doing great!” Yuuri replies: “We’re making cookies for us and the other skaters. Yuri wanted to thank them for their help so he’s decorating each batch differently for each one of them.”
Yuri looks down, hiding the blush on his cheeks as he’s decorating a cookie.
“Aw, that’s very sweet, Yura!” Viktor praises: “I’m sure they’ll love them!”
“I hope so…” Yuri mumbles.
“They will, I’m one hundred percent sure!” Viktor says confidently. He turns to Yuuri and asks: “Pronouns?”
“They/Them.” Yuuri answers.
“Alright. Now, do you need any help with the cookies? Any groceries needed?”
Yuuri looks around them humming in question: “No, we have everything.”
Viktor hums: “How many batches are there left?”
“I’m decorating Minami’s cookies,” Yuri answers: “Yuuri put the other cookies in boxes already, the batch they just took out is the last one.”
“And who are they for?”
“Seung Gil. Mama?”
Yuuri looks up from the cookies they placed on a cooling rack: “Yes, Yuri?”
“Can you help me draw a flower? I know Minami loves gardening so…”
Yuuri smiles: “Of course.” They turn to Viktor: “Vitya, do you mind placing the rest of the cookies on the cooling rack?”
“Not at all, Moya lobov.”
“Thank you. Oh! Your breakfast is right there as well.” They point to a plate on the counter area next to the stove.
“Thank you, darling.”
And that’s how the morning went.
Yuri went through it without having to think about yesterday’s disaster, making cookies and being brought into hugs and kisses by Yuuri and Viktor who want nothing more than to make Yuri feel loved every second of the day.
Yuuri spent a few minutes holding Yuri’s hands in an attempt to draw a flower with the frosting bag Yuri was holding. They cook a lot, especially back in Hasetsu, so they were able to help Yuri with decorating cookies. Viktor, as he was placing cookies on the cooling rack and eating his breakfast, watched them both with a proud smile, it made him especially happy when all that was on Yuri’s face was a smile.
“And then you leave a small pointy tip for the petal, like…this,” Yuuri instructed.
“Do you draw all petals the same?” Yuri asks.
“If you want it to look like a perfect, normal flower, yes.”
Yuri laughs: “What if I want it to look abnormal?”
“Then you could draw one small petal and one big petal.”
“Can we do that with the last cookie for Minami’s batch, please?”
“Of course, baby. We could also draw the small petals in their own colors if you wish.”
“Yeah! Yeah!” Yuri jumps up and down a little like a child. Viktor smiles with a hand on his heart (cuteness overload) as Yuuri kisses Yuri’s cheek, smiling at the boy’s excitement.
At the last cookie, they both used yellow and red frosting for the flower. When it was finished, they put Minami’s cookies in a fancy box that Yuuri got before starting with the last batch of cookies.
“You should make one have to do with a parrot if these are Seung Gil’s cookies.” Viktor jokes, placing his dirty plate in the dishwasher.
Yuuri and Yuri burst out laughing, the boy accidentally squirting some frosting on the counter.
“Uh oh,” Viktor playfully joins in the chaos: “You spilled some frosting, Yuri.” He places a finger in the frosting and then boops Yuri’s nose, leaving some blue frosting on it. Yuri squeals and shakes his head as if to whip the frosting off as Yuuri laughs and gets a napkin. As they wiped off the frosting on Yuri’s nose, Viktor’s phone rings with the ringtone he set for the group chat.
He grabs his phone and sees that it was a video call like yesterday, he checks the time -3:57- before turning in his son and husband.
“Yuuri, Yura?”
Yuri looks up from his cookie, Yuuri drops the napkin in the trashcan whilst looking up at Viktor, and both wait for his question.
“Everyone is in a video call. Do you mind if we check up on things now?”
Yuuri looks at Yuri who seems to think about whether he’s comfortable with this or not. After a few seconds, he nods with a small smile.
Viktor smiles back and answers the call, getting closer to Yuuri and Yuri, who went back to decorating the cookie.
------
Phichit: “THERE IS OUR FAVORITE FAMILY!”
Leo: “Hey guys!”
Mila: “Shouldn’t you be asleep, Phichit?”
Seung Gil: “This guy doesn’t sleep. We should all know this by now.”
Christophe: “Hey Yuri, what are you doing back there?”
Yuri: “…Hi, uh- I’m making…it’s a surprise.”
Minami: “Oh! I love surprises!”
Georgi: “Anxiety says no.”
That got some laughs.
Otabek: “Well, I’m sure that whatever Yuri is making will be a great surprise.”
Seung Gil: “Simp.”
Otabek: “You’re one to talk.”
Leo: “OH?!”
Guang: “Phichit, we have tea!”
Isabella: “Otabek knows something, clearly.”
Otabek: “I do.”
Viktor: “Are you going to share?”
Otabek: “While I love having blackmail material when needed, I am still a gentleman. I don’t spill people’s secrets just because.”
Minami: “…Aw, Yuri-kun is blushing!”
Sara: “How does someone manage to be so freaking cute?”
Mila: “I ask this every day, trust me.”
Yuri: “Stop!”
Yuuri: “Only I get to call Yuri cute…and Otabek.”
Otabek: “Honored.”
Viktor: “I-Yuuri! I exist! I’m not even one foot away from you!”
Emil: “Marriage do be like that.”
Michele: “You come out of nowhere just to say that?”
Emil: “Listen, I have rare lines to say whenever I’m with a group of people.”
Guang: “Why?”
Emil: “Because I have no idea what to say almost every second of my life.”
Leo: “Mood though.”
JJ Leroy: “While this is a fun conversation and while I really don’t want to be a party pooper-”
Yuri: “Too late.”
Christophe, who was drinking some coffee, chokes on his drink and everyone starts laughing.
JJ Leroy: “…Okay ouch, now I feel like a grandpa.”
Yuri: “Feel? I thought you were.”
Phichit: “Ah yes, my favorite time of day; Yuri roasting JJ.”
Isabella: “Same.”
JJ Leroy: “Imma be Viktor here for a minute- I’m not even one foot away from you!”
Christophe: “I feel like I’ve insulted someone by drinking coffee and not tea at a time like this.”
Sara: “You have.”
Georgi: “Shame on you.”
Christophe: “My apologies.”
Yuuri: “Forgiven. Anyway, JJ, what did you want to say- Yuri no more roasts…for now.”
Yuri: “Alright, mama.”
Isabella: “AH!”
Leo: “BICH!”
Sara: “WHAT HAPPENED?!”
Seung Gil: “We can’t get one question past us.”
Isabella: “I’m sorry! I just never heard Yuri call Yuuri mama! It was precious! Let me live!”
Phichit: “Access granted.”
Mila: “Access granted.”
Phichit: “Jinx.”
Mila: “Hoe.”
Phichit: “Ouch.”
Otabek: “Can we please?!?”
JJ Leroy: “…Well then. Anyway, Phichit, how did it go? Is the media sorted out?”
Phichit: “…Did you not see the result? I thought the Katsuki-Nikiforov fam was the only one ignoring it.”
JJ Leroy: “I couldn’t bring myself to read another post from that asshole. I was about to dent the wall.”
Isabella: “He was, I had to hold him back.”
Guang: “Damn.”
Michele: “Respect for the straight white male.”
Emil: “Miche-”
Everyone laughed out loud.
Phichit: “Um…well…GOOD NEWS ACTUALLY! That’s why I called everyone.”
Yuri perks up and looks hopeful. He clutches Yuuri’s arm, silently. Yuuri rubs Yuri’s hand comfortingly.
Phichit: “I managed to make it look fake.”
Mila: “…I’m sorry what?”
Guang: “Explain?!”
Phichit: “I hacked into the asshole’s phone. I went to his gallery, edited the picture to make it seem like he did it and that it wasn’t taken. Went to my account, posted the actual edited picture I made and spent an hour tagging everyone that saw the post. So now, everyone believes that the real picture is fake and the fake one is real. I also deleted the asshole’s account when I hacked him. Everyone believes me! So~ problems solved!”
Everyone sat/stood in shocked silence. They had no words to express what they felt about Phichit’s hacking skills. The Thai skater was a technology genius.
Otabek: “…I don’t even know what to say to this.”
Guang: “Same.”
Leo: “What can you say?”
Yuuri: “Phichit, I thank God for your beautiful existence!”
Phichit: “Oh Yuuri~ you flatter me!”
Seung Gil: “I hope that you don’t hack into our accounts.”
Phichit: “What! No! No! I only hack into people’s accounts when something like what happened yesterday…happens.”
JJ Leroy: “I’m proud of Phichit, but I don’t know what to say to this level of technical hacking skills.”
Isabella: “I’m more curious as to how?!”
Yuri: “…Phichit?”
Phichit: “Yes, Yuri? I know that you love wearing skirts and dresses sometimes, but I had no other idea to this-”
Yuri: “Thank you.”
That’s when the skaters notice Yuri holding his phone. His voice cracked when he thanked Phichit. Yuuri looks at the screen as the skaters all open their phones to see what’s going on.
On Phichit’s Twitter account, there was the fake picture of Yuri wearing pants, no skirt. Under the picture, the following caption is what makes Yuri get teary-eyed.
‘This is the real picture. The asshole posted an edited picture. How do I know this? My friend @YuuriKatsuki sent me the real picture before the fake one was posted. BUT! Even if Yuri wore a skirt in real life, what the fuck is the problem?! Also, since when do outfits change someone’s gender? Don’t fucking misgender a figure skater that has skirts as part of some of his costumes! If Yuri were to wear a skirt, I would be happy that he’s found comfort in them rather than call him a ‘she’ and pretend like I did something like the asshole did. And to the haters, how does it feel being an ass? #YuriPlisetskyIsHandsomeNoMatterTheOutfit #ClothesHaveNoGender
------
Yuri: “This means so much…Thank you.”
The boy starts crying tears of happiness and starts to wipe them away as Yuuri brings him into a hug. Viktor puts down Yuuri’s phone on the counter (he was reading from their phone) and hugs Yuri would the arm that wasn’t holding his phone for the video call.
Phichit: “Okay look, I didn’t want to cry- You’re VERY welcome. My smol angry nephew! You deserve it!”
Mila: “Phichit! If we weren’t a gay mess, I would have asked for your hand in marriage!"
Sara: "I won't even be mad, you'd have my blessing!"
Otabek: “My respect for Phichit has crossed the limit. I don’t even have words to describe how amazing this is.”
Christophe: “What makes this better in the comments.”
Minami: “Yup! Everyone is supportive!”
Leo: “There are very few haters, but they got told off!”
Seung Gil: “Everyone is bound to have haters, that’s the norm. But from what I’m seeing, the comments are ninety-six percent supportive.”
Yuri: “That’s more than enough. It’s encouraging me to actually wear whatever I want out in public one day.”
Isabella: “And if that’s what you want, do it! Whoever wants to hate can fight me.”
Michele: “And me!”
Sara: “Literally all of us will throw hands if that happens.”
Emil: “Agreed.”
Minami: "Yup! With no regrets!"
Yuuri: “Thank you all, so much.”
Viktor: “I was worried something would happen, but I’m glad that everything is back to normal now.”
Yuri: “It’s a little better with the support from the fans, but I’m glad. I was really worried.”
Phichit: “No one messes with the queer skater family, smol angry nephew. If they do, they better remember I exist.”
Christophe: “I’m actually making a mental reminder never to get on your bad side.”
Yuuri: “You do that.”
Leo: “You sound like you’ve seen what Phichit has done.”
Yuuri: “We went to college together. I have seen some stuff. This was what he would do to get back at bullies.”
Seung Gil: “Jesus, how much more respect can I have for him? ”
Otabek: “…We’ll see.”
Seung Gil: “Otabek, I swear-”
Sara: “Funny how it’s the dark, quiet ones that are sharing a good secret.”
Phichit: “I was just about to say.”
Yuuri: “That’s a conversation for another day. For now, Phichit?”
Phichit: “Yes?”
Yuuri: “Get some sleep. You’re probably tired from all of that.”
Phichit: “Yes, mom.”
Yuri: “They’re my mom!”
Phichit: “I know you precious smol angry bean, I’m just joking around.”
Viktor: “Well, we are going to get back to what we were doing, whoever needs to sleep, go to sleep and we’ll talk to you all later.”
------
After a group of farewells from all skaters, the call ended and Yuri’s smile never left his face that day. He decorated the cookies with the brightest smile that made Yuuri and Viktor very happy.
After making the cookies for all skaters, Yuri went with his parents to cargo the boxes and send them away to the skaters. Mila and Georgi’s will be given to them at practice.
The family spent the rest of the day talking about how delighted they were that the problem ended and that Yuri’s comfort was safe for a while, watching more movies, eating cookies, cuddling with their pets, and enjoying the day before practice starts tomorrow.
When the skaters got their cookies, they all attacked Yuri with love in the group chat:
***
Phichit: I LOVE YOU! THOSE COOKIES ARE AMAZING! THEY LOOK DELICIOUS AND IM CRYING!
Christophe: I LOVED THE COOKIES! THANK YOU KITTEN!
Minami: AH! I LOVE THE FLOWER DECORATED ONES! THEY ALL TASTED SO GOOD! THANK YOU YURI-KUN!
Mila: I AM SMOTHERING YOU WITH HUGS TOMORROW! IT WAS EVIL THAT YOU LEFT RIGHT AFTER GIVING THEM TO MEE!
Georgi: I AM IN TEARS! THE COOKIES ARE BEAUTIFUL!
JJ Leroy: ISABELLA ALMOST ATE ALL OF THEM! BUT WE BOTH LOVE THEM SO MUCH! THANK YOU YURI!
Otabek: My little sister enjoyed them with me! We are both sending big thanks! She says her favorite was the one with the bear. Thank you, Yura!
Leo: I ADORE YOU! ‘America, fuck yeah!’ IS MY FAVORITE! YOU ARE JUST THE BEST PERSON EVER! I LOVE THE COOKIES!
Guang: EARLY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR YURI BECAUSE THE COOKIES TASTED WONDERFUL!
Seung Gil: I love the parrot cookie! Subtle tease, but the cookies tasted very good! Thank you, Yuri.
Sara: Michele is straight-up bawling his eyes out. WE BOTH LOVE THE COOKIES SO MUCH! THANK YOU KITTY!
Emil: The cookies were splendid! I enjoyed them very much! My favorite was the one with the PewDiePie joke XD
***
Crisis averted. Everything and everyone was okay. Yuri couldn’t be happier.