Hard Times But Light Endings

Realization

It was another winter in Russia, where the Nikiforov family was in their small home setting up their Christmas tree. Well, the closest thing to a Christmas tree they could afford that year. Times were rough for both Viktor and Yuuri when it came to finding good jobs, up to the point where they were falling behind in paying some bills. Viktor wanted to ask Yakov, Chris, really anyone, for help, but Yuuri doesn't want to be a burden to anyone. The worst thing about their financial problems, is that they have a son, a son that they weren't able to buy any presents for. That was what really hurt them, that their son would be present-less this Christmas, just like last year's Christmas.

They've seen how Yurio would longingly stare at toys in the windows of toy stores, and how upset he looked as he saw children leaving those stores with toys. Yuuri would always be sent to tears when he sees Yurio struggle with his worn out clothes from two years ago. They don't fit him, but it's not like anything fits anyone in the Nikiforov family anymore. They all had to reuse everything, and had to share a tiny bed together with a blanket that doesn't cover them well enough or keep them warm throughout the cold nights.

"папа, our tree got smaller." Yurio said as he put up the handmade ornaments he made in school. Yuuri and Viktor agreed to teach their son both Japanese and Russian, so that he would understand them when they communicated. "Yeah, it has, hasn't it?" Yuuri said with a frown as he looked at the tree. He really hoped that Yurio wasn't disappointed in his parents, it was Yuuri's worst fear.

Yuuri crouched in front of his son, and gently rested his hands on his shoulders as he smiled hopefully, sadness showing in his eyes. "We'll do better next year, Yurio. I promise you." "It's okay, папа. I know you two tried." Yuuri couldn't hold in his tears anymore, and hugged his tiny son close to his chest as he cried his heart out. "Santa will come with presents for me next year, папа. He'll come for all of us next year, and he'll fix everything." Yurio said calmly, wrapping his tiny arms around his father.

That night, when Yurio was tucked into the shared bed, Yuuri impatiently waited for Viktor to come back. Waiting for him at this hour has become a routine for the married couple. Viktor would always be out looking for work all day, and at night would be at a bar trying to drink away his sorrows. Yuuri didn't like that at all, he didn't like Yurio waking up and smelling the alcohol off of his Russian father every morning. He didn't want Yurio to see his parents as a drunk and a jobless supporter. He wanted Yurio to see them as normal parents, whatever the hell that meant, whatever the hell they were supposed to be. Yuuri stared down at his wedding ring, the once shining gold ring now with a dull lighting to it.

'Yurio....I don't think Santa will be able to fix everything.'