Pitter Patter | Victuuri Adoption AU on hiatus

Relax

"So, okay, we've got the invites out," Phichit says, stirring his drink until the refresher meets the coconut milk at the bottom. "Now we wait for RSVP's and hotel situations."

"My parents are willing to take people—"

"Yuuri! What are you doing to your coffee?" Phichit interrupts, looking at me with wide eyes.

I pause in the middle of sifting an entire cup of sugar into it.

"Fuck, I wasn't paying attention," I set the sugar container back on the counter and close the lid of my cup. "This is bound to give me a kick."

He laughs in good nature before shaking his head and leading us to sit at an outside table. The weather is nice today. I find myself getting lost in the clouds as Phichit attempts to carry a conversation with me.

"Anyway, your parents are awesome people. But do we advertise that, or let our friends figure it out? I only mean it seems like extra work on you."

"They do tend to figure it out," I shrug, rubbing a hand behind my neck and trying not to remember all the different incidents. "And I figure the more recluse will know to steer clear."

"You mean Yurio and Otabek?" Phichit snickers.

"Bingo," I try to take a cool sip from the drink but it is so shockingly sweet I ruin the effect with a disgusted face at the end. "Ugh, this is bad."

"You could probably get another one for free if you tell them what happened," Phichit suggests. "Or you could dilute it with another cup of coffee."

"More like two or three," I sigh, although smirking with amusement. "Actually, I'm tired enough to need more anyway."

"When was the last time you got a full night's sleep?" Phichit asks, whipping out his phone at the sound of a notification.

I shrug and think. How old is Valkyrie? Then I correct myself. How long have I been sleeping with Victor?

"Several months," I shrug, admitting only to Valkyrie's age. He doesn't need to know dirty details, although he'd probably listen gladly.

Phichit looks up and tuts at me.

"Okay, we're doing something relaxing. Party planning is done for today."

"My family owns a hot spring, Phichit, I don't think there's anything more r—"

"Grab your stuff."

"—okay."

"Feeling relaxed yet?" Phichit tosses over his shoulder as he skates by.

I hardly hear him. I manage a nod toward him but my mind is still skating through some of the pressure on my brain. I've been worrying about a lot of things lately, I guess. I worry for Victor's satisfaction with our lifestyle, for example, and I worry for the stigma Valkyrie will eventually face, I worry a lot about Elkena and Mary, and whether Yurio likes it or not, I worry about him sometimes too. The ice surfaces and boils away some of these pelagic thoughts.

I haven't much thought about the fact that there's a lot of pressure on me to be the coolheaded problem-solver. Though, I suppose coolheaded is what I am right now. Icing my anxieties— if I can call it that, and leaving behind just a little bit more of my tension with every footfall, is certainly one way of unwinding. Phichit comes up behind me, as if gathering pieces I've thrown away that I might need. But he doesn't come to shatter my zen.

"What does the ice do for you that people can't?" Phichit asks genuinely.

"You, of all people, should know," I reach out and punch him gently. "I mean, this was your idea. And you've been my best friend for how long?"

"I'm just asking. I've been trying to get you to loosen up for years, and I can never recreate the happiness on your face like right now if we're outside the rink."

I shrug.

"Artists paint away their problems, writers jot away their problems, I skate... I guess."

"I thought artists painted for communication, or pain, or—" Phichit muses.

"Smart aleck," I laugh. "You asked what the ice does for me, and I answered."

"Fair, fair," he lifts his hands in defeat. "So then, had enough yet?"

"You're done already? I'm just getting warmed up."

It's not an entirely true quip. I can feel rivulets of sweat rolling down my cheeks like gentle reminders to go easy. But I could easily skate for another hour or so before calling it quits.

"Oh boy, not everyone has the stamina you do, Yuri," Phichit complains. "Or is it determination, rather? I know we've talked about this."

"Try having an anxiety disorder and then come back to me with that," I chuckle darkly. "We can be done though, but only because I'm having Victor-and-Valkyrie withdrawals."

And that is true. I wipe at the sweat and follow Phichit off the ice.

"How cute," he coos on the way out. "Missing hubby and baby."

"Don't you patronize me," I groan.

"What? If I didn't, who would?" Phichit offers a cheeky grin.

I have half a mind to punch him again. And now that we're off the ice, it wouldn't have to be gentle. But I restrain myself and simply toss him an exasperated glance.

"Aren't we planning a party involving literally everyone else who would?"

"Meh-h."

I shake my head at him, but leave the building feeling better about life and ready to move forward.