Spice [NaNoWriMo 2023 Winner]

Dance

When Victor got home from China, he was greeted by a clean house and the smell of piroshki and Yuri and his Grandfather laughing in the kitchen. The young skater was babbling about how his day had gone, and what ideas he had for his routines. Victor decided to release Makkachin, snickering when Yuri shrieked when the dog rushed the blond, greeting him with face kisses and a wagging tail.

"I think he missed you," Victor laughed, crouching down to give Potya a pet, the feline tangling herself around his legs with a mewl and a purr.

"How was your trip?" Nikoli asked, dusting his hands on his apron to greet Victor properly.

"Good but exhausting," Victor smiled, allowing the old man to bring him in for a hug and take a proper look at him. He had to admit, it was nice having someone other than Yakov look after him.

"Well, you clean up and then sit, Yuri and I have made dinner and you can tell us all about it," He parented and Victor gave him a tired little smile. The elder went back to the kitchen and Victor was able to unpack, throwing all his clothes into the laundry and grabbing the gifts he got for friends and family. He handed Yuri his little present, a little cat pin he could add to the collection, and Nikoli got a tin of tea that was supposed to soothe swollen joints. Yakov got a similar tin and Lilia would be gifted a collection of skin care he had seen her use before.

Once he was clean he sent a message to Yuuri to let him know that he had made it home safe and would call later. Once dressed and comfortable, Victor sat at the table as a bowl of pelmeni was served with a pot of shchi. Nikoli led a prayer and then everyone dug in, the table silent for a wonderful moment as they enjoyed the home cooked comforts of home. Victor spoke about China and how he and Chris caused minimal trouble for the hotel staff but they still had fun. Yuri spoke about his training and how he was trying to do jumps with his arms up but was having problems with his balance. Victor couldn't help with that one because he never managed to get that far, but maybe some of the girls would be able to help, that move was more often in women's skating than men's.

"My clothes are getting too short, again," Yuri finally complained and thrust his arms out, the sleeves an inch too short on his gangly limbs, and the collar of the shirt had been cut wider.

"You might have to take a season off," Victor explained, "So you don't hurt yourself again."

"Yakov said the same thing, Madam Lilia said that ballet should help with my balance and might be able to keep me on the ice," Yuri pouted and looked at his hands, it was weird how his body was becoming a stranger to him. He was frustrated that he no longer knew where his feet were and where his arms ended. He was becoming unsure but he was determined to see this season through and be confident enough for the next one. He had to make it through.

Victor remembered when he had to deal with the sudden growth spurts, his limbs getting longer, his body rushing to catch up and the appetite for anything that he could get his hands on. He knew that Yuri would be unpleasant but at least he wouldn't be alone to figure stuff out by himself. Victor wasn't looking forward to any of those kinds of conversations but Lilia was crass and Yakov would just usher the boy's questions off. Victor wouldn't leave the poor boy in the dark if he had questions. Yuri deserved to have at least one adult who wouldn't be embarrassed about the sudden rush of hormones and the emotions that came with it. Should Nikoli not be able to help Yuri, Victor would be there.

"Where is the next competition?" Nikoli asked and Yuri thought for a moment as Victor answered,

"I'm going to the Trophee de France, Yuri has the Rostelecom Cup," Victor explained "And then everyone is going to the Grand Prix Finals,"

"Holy shit," Yuri's eyes snapped up to Victor and for a moment he couldn't tell if the kid was breathing or not, "I'm in the Finals..."