Unexpected ▪ Yuri On Ice

Dinner For Jocks

VN

"Pichit pass me the salt" Yuuri extends his hand behind him, waiting for the item as he fiddles with the gas.

"I am the salt" Pichit retorts, passing him the salt regardless.

"How's the macaroni going?" Yuuri asks, completely absorbed by the process of cooking. It's incredible to see him in a kitchen, he flows, he's completely zoned in and frankly a natural. It's interesting to see someone who doesn't favour food cooking like it's their element. Though  It's sad to see him producing only to dislike and neglect the end product.

"Swimmingly" I murmur, squatting at the oven and watching the cheese become golden as I flex my wrist at the sheer amount of cheese I had to grate.

"I hope not. I like it dry" Pichit comments as he sprinkles paprika and tumric on some onions

"That's what she said" it comes out of my mouth completely by instinct. I barely notice it until Pichit doubles over in laughter.

"You're both trash" Yuuri smiles to himself, adjusting the rolled sleeves of his red flannel.

I smile privately, to myself, loving the atmosphere and the way Yuuri's smiles make my heart bloom.

"Chris said a lot of them will be here in twenty" I note as I read the messages in our disaster of a groupchat.

"We're on track then"

I don't really hear Yuuri. The chat is discussing a dildo Mickey found in Chris' car according to what I can keep up with. That isn't what distracts me though, it's Jeans text;

Trust me, finding a huge dildo is a breeze compared to how hard I had to bust my ass just to get Carson to come.

"Shit"

Yuuri and Pichit both look at me, waiting. 

"I invited everyone over in our team group chat... I forgot Carson's in it."

"Oh.... do you think he'd come?" Pichit cleans his hands on Yuuri's black apron and looks at me with a frown on his face.

"Should I tell him not to come?  Just in case" I look to Yuuri, to gauge his reaction. The last thing I want is Yuuri regretting this whole thing due to Carsons presence.

The spotlight shines on Yuuri now,  as we wait for an answer. He shifts, turns down the fire, turns back to us; presses a hand to his mouth, moves it to open his mouth, closes it, cocks his head, sighs, and finally speaks;

"No. Carson played a key part in your win. It wouldn't be fair to leave him out just because we don't see eye to eye"

Pichit looks suprised, only for a moment, then nods with a smile and returns to whatever he was doing. It's not quite the same to me, I don't know Yuuri like Pichit does, unfortunately, so the level of maturity in the statement really grounds me in place.

People ten years older than us would tell Carson to got to shit. I would tell him to. Yet Yuuri doesn't make it about himself, he steps out of the frame, he still respects Carson as a human even though he's an absolute douchebag.

I admire that.

They say a partner makes you want to better yourself. I know what they mean now, I want to be able to make decisions like that.

When Yuuri nudges my foot I return to the moment, seeing the questioning on his face. I read it as him asking what's wrong so I smile. He smiles back, so sweetly, and after a moment dives back into his task.