Spice [NaNoWriMo 2023 Winner]

Assemble

Yuuri was back in the Onsen with a deep sigh and a hot bath, he relaxed into the water and let himself be at ease. His parents had questioned him about Victor and he gave them the entire story. They had been disappointed at first until they heard the affection in his voice and the excitement he had when he told them about Barcelona. Mari told them more when Yuuri wasn't looking and his mother made comments about wedding bells.

Yuuri was just happy to be home, away from his main office, full of good food, good sake and a hot bath. He leaned his head against the rocks, winter was settling and while most would find it crazy to be outside in the cold, Yuuri loved it. The air was crisp and the way that sound muffled in the snow was peaceful. He was able to think here, able to get his bearings back and figure out what to do.

The other designers were right, Roswell was going to take herself out if she continued to do what she was doing. However, her invasion of privacy was completely out of left field. She had also gotten information on Phichit and Malee, going after couples and causing tension. Anyone who wasn't used to the attention would either burst or run. Yuuri had seen people turn and bolt the moment a camera got into their face, he had also seen people change into monsters with a taste of fame. He wasn't sure what Roswell was planning but it wasn't going to work.

Both Malee and Victor were level headed and most of the other relationships that he knew about had gone on long enough that everyone was stable. He sighed and ran his hands over his face, rolled his shoulders and finally let his anxiety go for a moment.

Victor had been posting regularly again, both on his professional and personal page. Pictures of himself at the rink with Yuri and Georgie, photos with Makkachin and Potya, and updates on his life that he had kept private a few months ago. Victor was thriving with the attention he was getting. They also texted daily, mostly stupid things that they had worked on for the day, but also more personal things.

Victor loved showing off and continued to do so, his naked body gracing Yuuri's inbox on more than one occasion. He finally did get back to him on a car, an old Cadillac that a girl was selling because daddy bought her a new one. The colour was so outrageously pink that Yuuri wasn't sure if Victor would keep the colour or change it. He sent the money for the vehicle, mostly because he wanted Victor to have the ridiculous thing and he wanted to drive it himself.

Victor also continued to get his allowance, something they had talked about after Victor had gotten home. Yuuri insisted that he enjoyed spoiling him and it was his way of loving him from so far away. Victor accepted that and said he would continue to spoil Yuri in the meantime and also find a way to pay him back. Their picture continued to spread, along with Phichit and Malee now, news articles demanding more information.

"We should do a press conference when you get home," Phichit said over the phone, "Or in Barcelona, we can meet up there for Christmas and Victor's birthday, bring everyone and answer questions on our terms."

"I was thinking the same thing, but maybe sooner than that so we don't ruin the holidays?" Yuuri asked, "Maybe you and Malee can come down and we can fill the onsen with our friends and talk face to face. I have some friends here in town that are in the media and can bring sane people into the room."

"That might be better, then we can have Mari at the front door," Phichit laughed,

"Don't threaten her with a good time," Yuuri chuckled as he pulled himself up and out of the bath, "Mom and Dad would be delighted to have everyone over too, it gets so dead here over the winter. The only alcohol we keep is whatever Minako drinks."

"Oh boo, BYOB invite," Phichit snickered, "You relax, I'll call up everyone, we can make plans for next week-ish?"

"If everyone can make it next week, that would be great, Mom can do an order and we can have some of the good stuff in," Yuuri grinned.