Blue Echo (Yuri On Ice / Victuuri Mermaid AU)

Yuri, warm

The journey back feels endless. The currents fight against him, as if they are telling he's going the wrong way. Yuri trudges forward either way, he's already late.

He hears no voices as he squeezes back into the nest, manages to hide himself for the few roaming guards doing their early rounds.

The first voices he hears are of the triplets as he reaches his cluster. He stares for a second at the entrance of Yuko and Takashi's cave, only to turn toward his own and swim in.

"Yuri!"

The natare jumps slightly at the sound of his name. Only to be hugged tightly by a flustered Isabella. "You made it!"

"Told you we could count on him," JJ says with pretend confidence, Yuri can tell the younger natare had been worried. "Yuko stopped by earlier today, she came to collect you for the mater reunion. I told her you were still resting in the back chamber and will wake you up soon."

Yuri glances at the caves entrance. He'd barely made it then. Barely...

"Did Isabella spend the five days here?" Yuri asks cautiously. He didn't want to intrude on their privacy, but at the same time he felt he needed to know as much as to what had transpired in the days he was gone.

"Yes!" JJ pipes up excitedly. "It was great! We—" Isabella elbows him on the ribs before he can continue.

"We became a bonded pair," Isabella says quietly. "I hope you don't mind... as JJ's official mate..."

"No," Yuri shakes his head. "I'm happy you're happy. That we all can be with our mates." Even if it was only for a short while.

How long could they get away with this ruse? How long could he stay mated without fry? How long until the elders started asking questions? Would he even be able to leave to see Victor again?

"Speaking of," JJ cuts in. "Did you find your mate?"

Yuri feels his body warm just by thinking of Victor. He nods, words unable to leave his throat.

The small moment of happiness ends quickly, and Yuri feels the threat of tears on the corners of his eyes. "The reunion of maters?" he manages to say without stumbling. "When does it start?"

"Yuko said in an hour when she stopped by." Isabella answered. "That was almost thirty minutes ago."

"Not much time..." Yuri drops his hands to his side.

"Do you know what happens at the reunion?"

JJ purses his lip. "Not really." The mater reunion has always been exclusive for maters and the nursing cave staff. Did you ever ask Yuko about it?"

Yuri shakes his head.

"Mmmm," JJ crosses his arms in thought. "All I really know is that it's a very old tradition. Ancient. I remember my mother getting all excited about it so it must not be bad. The one thing that I do know that isn't exactly nest knowledge is that the reunion happens because maters were not allowed to choose mates generations ago."

"So us?" Yuri says, keeping his hands in front of him.

"I guess..." JJ purses his lips. "Never thought about it, was too excited when I realized I could be with Bella." He grins completely carefree. Yuri feels a tinge of jealousy to be so free of worried. To be free of the constant onslaught of thoughts.

Isabella fidgets next to JJ. She doesn't share her mate's calm.

"I should get going then," Yuri stares at the pair, he's sure his eyes show something, but he smiles anyway and turns to leave.