Pitter Patter | Victuuri Adoption AU on hiatus

Spook

We have a lot of fun with the costume party when it finally comes around. Many couples take advantage of the opportunity to dress up together, including Victor and me. Naturally, people come dressed as vampires, werewolves, pirates, zombies, but only one sexy maid (Chris was shameless). We even throw a blanket with holes cut out for the eyes over Makachin.

I watch for JJ, unsure if he'll make it because of his family at home. I also keep my eyes peeled for Otabek and Yurio, because Victor and I have a bet about what kind of cat Yurio's going to be. I'm certain it's going to be a tiger, but Victor suspects Yurio will seek to match Otabek.

I, dressed as a magician, spend a lot of time catching up with old friends while Victor shows off Valkyrie, in their matching rabbit costumes, to those among the visitors that haven't gotten to meet her yet. He receives a lot of praise regarding how cute they look together. I have to agree, they could not be any cuter.

I still absentmindedly find myself thinking about Elkena, though, and her grandmother. I wish they could have made it. Seeing Axel, Lutz, and Loop having fun and running around reminds me of the recent pictures of Elkena. I have to excuse myself from the conversation with Guang Hong and Leo when I realize I'm about to cry over my worries. I walk outside into the front garden, seeking fresh air.

It's twilight, a rosy palette of light casting long shadows across the lawn. The outside air tastes cleaner, fresher. The change of scenery feels so different to the warm tank of people inside, though, I almost feel submerged in ice water by the solitude out here. After only a few heartbeats, I feel stupid. I'm still choking on my fears— aren't I past this?

"Yuri?" Phichit says from the door.

Spooked by the sudden interruption, I flinch.

Phichit steps outside, quietly closing the door behind himself. He removes his hat, seated on a headband and pointed like a witch's hat, before coming to stand beside me. He doesn't say anything for a long moment.

I acknowledge him with a swift hug. He returns my hug, although without fully understanding why I need it.

"Are you okay?" he asks at last.

"Of course," I say, stepping back. "I just needed a moment to reflect."

Phichit seems skeptical, but he doesn't voice his suspicions outright. "I see." He casts a sidelong glance my way. "Care to share?"

"No," I shake my head. "I'm not ready to talk about it."

Phichit nods slowly, extending his arms as in invitation for another hug. I accept it, even though I know this is a trap meant to make me talk. It works.

I share all of my thoughts about Elkena, how I feel called to help her but frustrated that I can't do it now. Phichit listens patiently. For a long time, we talk outside, walking around the property as we do. For an hour, we decompress. I find out that Phichit is stressed out about his skate program in Thailand.

Fear and doubt and an inexorable need to protect a dream held dear, we understand each other. And I we realize that our dreams and our fears are not so different, not so far away.

"Feel any better?" Phichit asks.

"Much," I reply. "Let's go check on the party."

The first person I see is JJ, and then his wife and their small son. I drift up to him, intending to welcome him to the party. But I'm caught by an aggressive hand on my shoulder, peeling me off course and away from Phichit.

"Katsudon," Yurio says, demanding, "where have you been?"

"Drifting around," I answer sheepishly. "Nice costume."

He has managed to simultaneously prove Victor and me both right and wrong. He wears a punk rock band outfit decorated with tiger stripes and rips; Otabek wears a matching costume but characterized by darker colors.

"Thanks," Yurio mutters. "I've been wanting to talk to you, Yuri."

"Oh?"

I'm surprised.

"Yeah. Your daughter, Valkiria... do you plan to have her compete?"

I assume he means figure-skating.

"No, her health is so fragile—"

"That's why she'll need exercise. Anyway, whatever you decide... when she's old enough... if you bring her to me, I will teach her. With a parent as devoted as you at her side, she could be great at anything she chooses to do."

Yurio cries out when I hug him, but he returns my hug, too. I think that was just the encouragement I needed. I can't thank Yurio enough, so I don't. I pull away and allow the conversation to steer itself naturally forward. And before long, I catch Yurio throwing glances at Victor and Valkyrie. He wants to see the baby again, so I lead us back toward them.

"Yuri!" It's unclear who Victor is glad to see because he hugs both of us at the same time. "Valkyrie was getting antsy without you in sight," he says to me. "Why don't you take her for a while?"

And then I remember what it's like to hold the universe in my arms.