bringbackgold | Catchall (for bespredel)

Yuri waited, because he had to. He felt unmoored; out of place in the confines of his own body. Without Otabek there, a creeping sense of unease began to grow, prickling at the edges of his consciousness. He felt scared, still, but now so too did he feel somehow unsafe. It wasn't a good feeling. Knowing Otabek had a key to his apartment, Yuri locked the door, and then turned. Stared at his apartment, not knowing what to do with himself, something welling up inside of him, threatening to break.

What if Otabek didn't come back?

And there it was, the thought that Yuri had been to afraid to give focus to, but now that he had let it pass, it was all he could think of. What if Otabek didn't want this responsibility? What if Otabek left him, because Yuri fucked up. Because Yuri picked the wrong type of birth control?

This thought alone shattered Yuri, and he burst into sobs. Couldn't even make it to the couch before he sunk to the floor, pressing his fists against the sockets of his eyes and weeping; deep, guttering heaves of anguish over the thought of pushing away the man he loved most because of this.

It felt like he would never stop crying, now that he had started; but eventually, he managed. Even managed to crawl towards the couch. Not on it, but in front of it. Pulling a pillow down off of it and hugging it tight to his chest, biting at it with his teeth and wiping his tear streaked face against the fabric, letting out shuddering breaths.

A wave of relief washed through him when he heard the door open, when Beka's voice greeted him. He didn't trust his voice not to give away how hard he had been crying, but even without speaking it was obvious, his face and eyes red, his nose still running a little.

"Yeah," he croaked softly, "I'd really like that." He tried not to sound pleading, extending one of his hands towards the other for Otabek to take, to lift him up and to give him the guidance that in that moment, he was desperately seeking.

Otabek could tell Yuri had been crying when he heard his voice. He was silent for a moment, before taking off his shoes, jacket, and scarf before heading into the living area. He found Yuri on the floor, rather than on the couch which he had been anticipating. When Yuri's hand came towards him, he took it, pulling him upwards. He never had difficulty lifting up Yuri, so he did this with ease. He pulled him towards his chest, and held him tight, before shifting to move onto the couch with blankets and pillows.

He was trying to make this as comfortable as possible for Yuri. He wanted him to feel safe, secure, and at home here. He held him close. The way he did, too, was a sure enough sign that he wasn't about to let go of Yuri for any reason.

"Yuri," he said. He knew they should talk. But he just wanted to say what he needed to say. "I've been thinking of finding a place here in Saint Petersburg. Do you want to help me find one on my next day off?"

He thought this might the best way to articulate to Yuri that he had every intention of staying here with him.

His legs still felt unsteady, and so he was grateful for the other's support in bringing him onto his feet. That was half the reason why he had stayed on the floor, unable to trust himself not to fall when he felt so shaken.

Arranging themselves together on the couch almost felt normal. Almost. With his back against Otabek's chest and his head resting on the other's shoulder, Yuri could almost pretend that he wasn't feeling like he had ruined everything.

The other's words were the exact opposite of what he expected, and it showed in how he startled in the other's arms, turning his head to try and get a better look at the other. To make sure he wasn't joking.

"You could move in here," He blurted immediately, his tone too hopeful. It caused him to flush as soon as he'd said it, hiding his face with his hair and biting at his own lip, "You don't have to though. We can look," he added slowly, more carefully this time.

"Wouldn't it be nice if we had a place for us? With and extra room or two." He let his hands move and rest over Yuri's stomach. Without saying, he wanted Yuri to understand what he meant the rooms were for. He was thinking ahead, because if Yuri wanted to keep it, this baby would need a room. And he knew they should get started soon, too.

And, if Yuri didn't want to keep it, he was hoping that he'd let Otabek know before they found a place with so much extra space. They could just live here if it was just them.

Instead of pressing on his stomach, Otabek just moved his hand in circular motions there. He was trying to find a way to breach the topic. "Yuri... we should talk about this." He hoped the other wanted to. He really did. He was drawing on his sensible and blunt nature. He didn't want to stress Yuri out, but he was worried, too.

His stomach knotted and tensed beneath Otabek's roaming hands. An extra room. Or two. For them. And for... Yuri shuddered out a breath, gripping Otabek's hands more tightly than he meant to, his knuckles white and nervous.

"I'll just be happy to have you with me," He mumbled, and so badly hoped that Otabek really would stay.

His back stiffened at the other's words about talking, though, and Yuri squeezed his eyes tightly shut.

"What do you want to say?" He asked, voice strained, "You don't have to stay. I don't want to force you. You-" his voice broke, and he bit his lower lip hard.

"I will never leave you." His brows furrow because of the fact that Yuri thought that for a second he would consider it. Especially with things how they are now. He moved his hands there, still. He could feel Yuri's hands tightening around his own. He knew that he was anxious over this, but Otabek needed Yuri to know what he had to say.

So, Otabek started to talk. "Listen, Yura..." he said. And then, Otabek started to talk. He was saying more words, consecutively, than he had ever said before in his life. "I am not going to leave you. I am not being forced into anything. I am going to stay here with you." His hand presses gently to Yuri's stomach. He could feel the baby there. "And this. I don't want to leave either of you, Yura."

He nuzzled against Yuri a little, face burying into his neck. He was taking in Yuri's scent. He wanted that comfort, too. He was afraid, but he was trying to open up the conversation with Yuri about the baby.

Yuri's lip trembled, despite how hard he tried to stop it, how heavily he was biting down. He struggled to keep his breathing even, but couldn't stop the spike of anxiety rushing through his pheromones, more than enough for Otabek to detect. Especially with his nose buried against Yuri's throat.

"You say that now, Beka- but later? People change. And sometimes they just don't come back. I can't-" his own hands pressed against his belly, just above Otabek's. Not quite hard enough to be painful, but enough that he was leaving imprints in his own skin, "You don't have to coddle me if you can't stay. I don't want you to feel trapped. And I don't ever want to make you resent me because I ruined your life!" Yuri had gotten more and more emotional and high strung as he spoke, his final words bursting out of him with so much force it left him shaking. Eyes wet once more, this furiously scrubbed away against the bottom of his shirt, drawn up by one of his hands as he released a shuddering breath, a poorly concealed sob.

Otabek noticed the change in his scent immediately. He didn't like the scent of that anxiety, but he still kept his face in Yuri's neck. He wanted to attempt to comfort him. When that sob broke through, Otabek made a noise against Yuri's neck. He didn't like the way it sounded, and he was quiet for several moments. He was trying to find a way to explain to him what he wanted him to understand. He sighed deeply, inhaling Yuri's anxious scent.

"No. It won't change. I want to bond you. All I ever thought of was you." Since he was thirteen. Yuri has been the object of Otabek's affection for as long as he's ever felt that way about anyone. "That hasn't changed." His hand rested there, on the hardness of Yuri's stomach. On their baby. His future child. The child he wanted and the child he was so afraid that Yuri didn't want. The scent he was emitting, although he wasn't completely aware of it, was one of worry.

The words came out so easily now. "I want this, Yuri. I really want this. But if you don't..." He frowned. "I don't want you to do this if you don't want it." He hoped, maybe, he would know. He needed Yuri to know that there was no way that he'd ever leave.

"Otabek-" Yuri's voice cracked, tense and shaking in the other's arms even as he spoke of promises of bonds. Yuri had told him, when finally he had revealed his feelings to the other that the only person he could ever dream of being with was Otabek. That he would have let the other bond him then, and there if Otabek had wanted. At sixteen, it had been a wilful, impulsive and perhaps even immature suggestion. Yet, the sentiment remained even now. Was stronger than ever before.

But what Yuri heard from Otabek's lips shocked him to the core. Forced him to ground himself. Otabek didn't think he wanted this baby? That he already knew nothing on earth could stop him from doing everything he could to protect it, no matter how terrified he was?

Abruptly he rolled, straddling the other's lap and drawing away so that he could face the other. His hands moved to guide the other's back to his belly, his eyes wide and shocked, mouth hanging open as he sucked in air through worry bitten lips.

"You think I don't want it?" He burst out, before bowing his head, folding forward and nuzzling his nose into the other's neck, breathing deeply, sliding his cheek against Otabek's as he drew back, released a soft, choked disbelieving laugh despite himself.

"Otabek having a family with you is more than I had ever hoped to dream. I'm so terrified- I'm waiting for the axe to come down. For some one to take it away from me," his voice still had a strained, watery quality to it, the scent of anxiety still present- but less so. It seemed as though, finally, they had found the same page.

Otabek listened when Yuri spoke. He was quiet for several moments. Their feelings had been so confused and mixed up, but he was glad that they somehow found a place to meet. His hand moved in small circles on Yuri's belly. Yuri wanted this. He couldn't help himself. Yuri's answer was all that he had wanted to hear. He wanted a family with him. He wanted this baby. Otabek was happy, and he couldn't bring himself to move his hands away from Yuri.

"I was afraid you didn't." He answered, his tone was sincere, although blunt. Afraid - he didn't even realize that this was exactly how he felt until he had said it. But now that the fear had passed, he found it easy to smile; and it was a smile only for Yuri. Since Yuri had confessed to him what he had wanted, Otabek moved his free hand to Yuri's head, he moved his fingers up through the hair.

"We're going to have a family," he said, still smiling. "I finally get a family with you. I am going to take care of you. Both of you." Otabek's family was always together. He was raised by both of his parents, and he couldn't imagine not giving that to his child.

"We'll have to shop soon for a place, though. And start to tell people. They'll be able to tell before long." He was excited now. It wasn't necessarily the most obvious, but Yuri would certainly be able to sense it.

Edited 2017-03-19 03:42 (UTC)

"Oh, Beka," He whispered, his eyelids drooping a little, a soft, bashful expression spreading on his own features. Shyer than Otabek's own, but sweet and glowing, his anxiety melting away little by little with every brush of the other's hands over his skin.

"Both of us," He repeated, still hardly able to believe it, a wide, dopey grin spreading over his features, "We're having a baby, Beka! Us!" And Yuri sounded more than just a little awed, reaching down and cupping his hands over Otabek's where he touched him.

"God damn I'm going to have to pack all of my shit now. Before I get fat as a house!" He made a face, but was still grinning despite himself, sweeping forward and pressing his lips to Otabek's.

"Both of you," Otabek repeated, returning the kiss that Yuri had given him. He was already starting to make lists of things that they'd need to get and do. The bigger things, like the beds and couches, he could get a moving company to help them move. But their other things... they could manage if they rented a truck. He knew he'd have to start packing soon.

He turned his hand on Yuri's stomach, moving to grip the other's fingers in his own, and hold it there. He didn't seem like he would ever let go, either. He loved the feeling of Yuri's fingers in his own.

Of course he was nervous about this, but more than anything, he was awed. "Tomorrow. We can search for a place. I'll check ads in the morning and then we can go." He wanted to get that done first, more than anything. He wanted them to have a place they could call home. They wanted to make sure it felt like their own place, too. "And I can help you pack. Since you'll look absolutely perfect." Otabek was convinced.

Leaning back Yuri huffed at him softly, before shifting to his former position of laying over Otabek with his head on the older man's shoulders. He pulled the warm, fuzzy tiger print blanket down from the back of the couch, throwing it over the both of them. The exhaustion he had been feeling earlier had settled back over him in force now that his adrenaline was easing off, and he knew where Otabek stood on the baby.

It still didn't seem quite real. A baby; a home together.

"Yakov will kill you if you miss training," he reminded, before huffing out a breath of laughter, "Although he may kill you regardless. Considering."

And then, Otabek was being sappy and sweet. Yuri loved it. But, just for good measure he wrinkled his nose, and pushed an elbow softly into the other's chest, "Gross. You're starting to sound like Katsudon and Nikiforov. And you say that now, but there's nothing to see yet. Wait until I have gross stretch marks and my belly is all flabby. Barffff."

"I told him I was taking a couple days off," Otabek said. Of course, he hadn't really said it exactly that way, but letting him know he'd be back in a couple days he felt was enough. "And I told him it might be awhile before you're skating." He frowned thinking that Yakov was going to have to be one of the first people to know, simply because there was no way that Otabek was going to think it was okay to have Yuri on the ice. Not with his fatigue and dizziness being so prevalent. The risk of hurting himself or the baby was very present.

"And he'll kill me anyway, I think. Once he finds out that I got his star skater pregnant." His arms tightened around Yuri. He was comfortable and warm, and while he hadn't been tired before, he certainly was cozy enough to doze off.

He nuzzled into Yuri's neck, closing his eyes. "I'm going to become unbearable for you these next few months," he teased. "Because I think it'll be amazing." He knew he was going to be sappy. It was inevitable.

"If you want to sleep..." he said quietly.

Otabek really didn't need to tell Yuri twice. It was so relaxing, laying in the other's arms, lulled by Otabek's breathing, his heart beat. Yuri mumbled that when he got up, he needed to eat something, but had hardly finished speaking these words and he was dozing. Out like a light.

As promised, Yuri started to pack the very next day. They browsed the internet together, looking at available places. Avoided phone calls, aside from one made from Yuri's doctor saying when his ultrasound was scheduled that week, and that his prescriptions for his prenatal vitamins were available for him to pick up, when he could. He sent Otabek to get them- because there was no point putting it off, now that they were both on the same page.

Hearing the heartbeat for the first time was like a revelation. It was as if Yuri had never lived, until he heard that heartbeat inside of him. It was better than skating, better than a gold medal at the GPF or the Olympics. They went away with pictures and recordings, Yuri unable to stop babbling excitedly about how strong her heart had been- realizing he was already calling it a 'her', and gushing, embarrassed. He felt as though he was on cloud nine.

The next thing they had to face though, was telling those who needed to know before it broke on social media, and Yuri couldn't hide it anymore. They still hadn't told Yakov or Lilia- but his Grandfather was even more important than their coaches. Poor Otabek had had to awkwardly tell the both of them that he was going to be out a little longer while they made the trip to Moscow.

It was one of the first times Yuri hadn't taken the train to get there. Instead, he and Otabek had rented a car. Thinking it better that way so as to not have to worry Nikolai picking them up. The closer they got, the more Yuri's knee began to bounce against the dash. Nervous, and excited both. Reaching over he gripped Otabek's thigh gently, not wanting to distract the other from his driving, but also excited. Terrified.

They immediately went to work the next day. Otabek wasn't keen on putting anything off, and Yuri wasn't, either. They both knew it wouldn't be long before he would hit a point where it just wasn't going to be as possible for him to participate in helping with the move. Otabek was afraid that time was going to fly by with this. After all, they found out about their baby around two months in. They had a lot to do in about seven month's time. But they were both motivated, so it wouldn't be difficult, he was sure.

Otabek, a quiet person anyway, was completely silenced when he heard their baby's heartbeat for the first time. He just wanted to keep listening to it, or looking at the pictures they now had - of her Yuri would say. Otabek didn't doubt, since he trusted Yuri's instincts. They wouldn't know for sure for another couple of months. He just listened to Yuri talk about her.

They both knew that the secret would come out before long. They were in public places, after all. So, they scheduled a trip to Moscow to visit Yuri's grandfather. (Lilia and Yakov were not too pleased when Otabek mentioned he'd be out for a few more days. He had to come up with a very sloppy cover story on how he must of caught something.)

The car ride was nice, but... Otabek was nervous the entire time. He could hear Yuri's leg bouncing. This was a big piece of news they were going to share, after all. Otabek knew how important Yuri's grandfather was to him, so he had to be hopeful that a positive response was coming. He looked up to Yuri when the other gripped his thigh, before his attention immediately settled on the road.

"Almost there," he said, turning down the street to his grandfather's house. His nerves were on edge, but he tried to keep a cool exterior. It was getting difficult. He pulled up, and parked on the side of the road near the house. "Ready?" he asked. They had the recordings and pictures to present him with, as well. After all, might as well also show him and let him listen to his great-grandchild.

Yuri had teased Otabek endlessly for how poorly he managed to lie to Yakov and Lilia. If they hadn't thought something was up before, Yuri knew that they certainly would now. Still, Yuri refused to tell them before his Grandfather knew. He meant the whole world to Yuri, and if he didn't approve... Yuri wasn't sure what he would do. It would break his heart if his grandpa didn't want this, wouldn't support them in it.

He didn't say anything when they turned down the road to his grandpa's house, but he did sit up much straighter, his breath catching in his throat as his childhood home came into view.

It really wasn't much to look at; a little dilapidated and in a poor neighbourhood- but of course none of that mattered to Yuri. To Yuri, it was one of his favourite places in the world. It had been home, once. With a start, he realized that for the first time he didn't think of it that way anymore. Home now... was with Otabek.

"As ready as I'll ever be," he murmured, thumbing the photos that he was hiding in the deep pockets of his hoodie, biting his lip and glancing at his phone, before throwing open the car door and bouncing his way up the stairs. He had told his grandfather that they were coming to visit, but hadn't mentioned that they had news. Of course, Yuri knew his grandfather probably suspected, given that it wasn't like him to skip training.

He didn't knock, just let himself in, calling out, "Grandpa? We're here!" as he lead them inside.

Always blunt and straight forward, Otabek had never been a particularly good liar. Amidst the teasing, he reminded Yuri that he could at least, always, be assured that his poor lying skills would mean that he'd never lie to him. At his core, he was sure Lilia and Yakov had some idea of that something was going on. Otabek didn't like missing practice, and rarely did.

Yuri was moving faster than he was, he got out of the car, locked the doors, and made his way after him. He caught up quickly, and then kept close to him - following him inside. Walking through the front door caused Otabek to be hit with the reality of having to tell everyone. It was scary, because there was always the potential for disapproval of what was going on - and disapproval would hurt. But at least he and Yuri knew what they wanted.

Otabek heard an answer come from the kitchen. It made sense, Otabek realized, he had been expecting them after all. And, he was the one who made Yuri's favorite (something, he realized, he'd have to get the recipe for during this). Otabek looked to Yuri for a moment so that they could move towards the kitchen and meet him there. In general, Otabek really liked Yuri's grandfather, but today - seeing him caused something to settle in his gut. His nerves on edge.

Yuri couldn't help but be his usual, excitable self when he saw his grandfather in the kitchen, making pirozhki for them. He threw his arms around his old man's neck from behind, squeezing him and nuzzling the back of Nikolai's shoulders, happy and excited to see him, his nerves momentarily forgotten.

"Yuri be careful! The hot oil!" his grandfather exclaimed, and Yuri only laughed sheepishly, letting go and moving back, one of his hands finding Otabek's. Despite everything, Yuri couldn't stop beaming. Couldn't wait to tell him. As frightened as he was that his grandfather would be upset, so too was he looking forward to becoming public with this news. Telling others that he was the lucky boy to carry Otabek Altin's child. The only one who would ever be blessed with such a thing.

"So, to what occasion do I owe such a surprise visit from my grandson, eh?" Nikolai asked, finishing up the last of his work with the pirozhki, before wrapping them gently in paper towel, and offering each of the boys one. Yuri took both, likely to Nikolai's chagrin, but he just huffed out a breath of laughter, and moved to wrap another one for Otabek.

"Lets sit in the living room grandpa," Yuri suggested, before biting into his pirozhki. "Ah!! It's hot!!" he exclaimed, holding his mouth open and sucking in air, trying to cool down the filling as Nikolai laughed, and smacked Yuri gently on the shoulder.

"Of course it is, boy! It just came out of the fryer! He does this every time," Nikolai said, directing this comment to Otabek as he shook his head, immeasurably fond as Yuri pouted.

Otabek was at ease when he finally saw Yuri's grandfather again. He thought food would be a good way to break news like this, anyway. He seemed not bothered by the fact that the pirozhki intended for him had originally been swiped. He accepts the second one that Nikolai hands to him with a nod, and a "Thank you." He offered a small smile.

He listened and watched quietly as Yuri and his grandfather interacted. He was nervous, but excited now. The bad anxiety seemed to fade. He was sure, and hoped he was right for Yuri's sake, that this news would be happily received. It had to be. Nikolai always seemed so kind and loving. He always acted in Yuri's best interest. So, Otabek was optimistic that he would also act in his great-grandchild's best interest.

The way he watched Yuri, though, there was nothing but total adoration. It was more obvious to others now than it ever was before. He kept his eyes on him. He watched as he bit into the all-too-hot food. He waited himself. He'd give it a few to cool off before he'd take any bites.

"Only for your pirozhki," Otabek nodded. He stepped back, holding his pirozhki as he did. He was making his way towards the living room, as Yuri had suggested only a moment ago. He felt like it'd be a good idea to be relaxed so they could talk. And deliver the news as they ate.

He settled himself on a couch, so he could sit next to Yuri comfortably. He had to tell himself not to do some of the behaviors he had caught himself doing since they had found out about their baby. He tried not to let his eyes drift to Yuri's stomach, especially. That would be a dead giveaway. Still, his body language was still protective. It was much like that of an Alpha over his mate. It wasn't as though the behavior was intentional, it was just how he was.

When Nikolai settled into a chair, Otabek took a bite of the pirozhki he had been given, now that he felt it had cooled off a bit.

Yuri still wasn't sure how his grandfather would take the news, but he wanted him to be in their baby's life so badly. That was more important than anything else to him. If his grandpa was upset, well, Yuri would do everything he could to explain. The circumstances weren't, perhaps, the most ideal- what with Yuri still so young, but he knew he could get his grandfather to come around.

Dropping onto the couch alongside Otabek, Yuri had already polished off his first pirozhki just in the short journey from the kitchen there. It seemed that not even the ht insides would deter him from the tasty snack when he wanted it. He leaned into Otabek's shoulder, not as shy with affections as the other was. Especially not when he was practically vibrating out of his skin with excitement.

For a few moments, Nikolai just watched the two of them. Smiling faintly and letting out a soft sigh. Ah, young love. He remembered it all too well. The two of them sitting as they were before him reminded him of when he had sat down to ask his late wife's father for her hand in marriage. He doubted his grandson was so traditional, and he had his own suspicious about what news was so pressing that it was required to be given in person like this. But still, he couldn't help to recall the memory.

"So what have you come to tell an old man that was so important it drew you away from your training, Yuratchka," Nikolai asked, his voice gruff, hiding his own smile. The blond seemed to startle a moment, pausing in chewing his second pirozhki, and glancing to Otabek for a moment. He swallowed, took another bite, and gripped Otabek's free hand in his own.

"Otabek and I are going to move in together," Yuri blurted out, flushing as he said it, and then smiling brilliantly as Nikolai huffed out a breath of laughter.

"That seems like something that you could have told me over the phone, Yuri. Come on then, out with it. Why are you really here?" the older man asked, and Yuri sucked in a breath, squeezing Otabek's hand just a little tighter. This was it. The moment they had come for- and Yuri found himself at a loss for what to say. How to say it. Silence lapsing between the three of them, Yuri just staring with his mouth open like a fool.

When he settled next to him, Otabek pulled Yuri towards himself, so that their bodies were close. The movement was protective, knowing that sharing what they were about to made them both a little nervous. But once they told the older man, they could start telling others with much more ease - or that was Otabek's hope.

Otabek's thought of letting him know of them living together first seemed to not really work as he intended. Yep. The older man was suspicious of something going on, and he had figured out it was something other than what they had already shared. Typically a fan of silence, this one wasn't fun because Otabek was searching desperately for the words to say.

He needed to make sure it would make sense. He also wanted the fact that they had even mentioned moving to be a good segue into the announcement that was to come. The words weren't easy to find, though.

He thought maybe showing would be easier for a moment. So, he reached into Yuri's hoodie pocket, figuring that with the photos from the ultrasound, there was nothing that could be disputed. And seeing it was so much more than hearing about it. He watched Yuri for a moment, then he laid out the photo on the coffee table before him. "We're going to find a place with some needed extra space."

There. He had said it. Well... sort of said it. He wasn't relieved quite yet, and he wanted to give Nikolai some time to take in what he was seeing. This was big news.

Everything was quiet, in that moment. When the pictures were placed on the table, Nikolai was still. Yuri was still. And then, with a slow, shivering breath, the old man reached to pick up the photos, unable to keep from smiling, despite himself.

"You won't mind, then, if I keep these pictures of my great grandbaby for myself," he said, his voice thicker, a little wet with emotion. Beside Otabek, Yuri beamed, and let out a sharp breath of laughter.

"We had them print a ton of extra copies," Yuri grinned, "I'll make sure to send you more, as we get them. I can't really- believe it, a little, but-" Yuri cut himself off, practically vibrating beside Otabek, "A baby, grandpa. Our baby,"

Nikolai smiled, running his thumb over the small bean shaped figure that was his growing great grandchild in the photo, before looking up at Yuri again.

"You'll have to stop skating," he broached this subject as gently as he could, and while Yuri looked a little uncomfortable, he nodded anyway.

"I know. It's okay though- I'm still young, right? I'll make a come back," Yuri had already decided that this was how it would be, and so he would make sure he made that happen. Nikolai seemed satisfied with the answer, nodding, though the smile slowly slid from his face.

"I know you're not going to like it, when I say it, Yuratchka, but I'm going to say it anyway. You should call your mother, she'd be so proud-"

Everything in Yuri had stiffened up, then, his fingers squeezing Otabek's hand almost too hard, the other pinching the last bite of his pirozhki so that the filling was starting to gush out the top.

"No," he said immediately, cutting his grandfather off, "Absolutely not."

Telling Yuri's grandfather had gone well. His response was exceptionally positive, as Otabek had hoped hard for. Every time Otabek saw those photos himself, he felt a little emotional. He couldn't help himself. His expression would soften, and this typical distant and aloof seeming self would vanish. He was clearly completely, already, in love with this. And Yuri's excitement at Nikolai's reaction was contagious. He was just as happy (though he was calm and still), and a smile was present.

But the easy joy that was present quickly vanished at the way that Yuri had reacted to the idea of telling his mother. Otabek's hand was being gripped tight, and he felt a little awkward. He would never fully understand what had happened, of course, he wasn't in Yuri's shoes. But he was also incredibly biased towards Yuri's wishes.

He curled his fingers around Yuri's hand tighter, squeezing it so that the other knew that he was there, and would remain there regardless of what he chose to do with this. His attention shifted to him, and he said what he felt needed to be said at the moment. "Only if you want to," he emphasized. Ultimately, it was their decision and no one else's, as far as Otabek was concerned.

"Yura," Nikolai sighed, his shoulders slumping just a little, "You know she loves you. She just wanted to provide a better life for you," Nikolai pleaded, while Yuri stared at the floor, frowning as he polished off his second pirozhki, and reached to steal a bite of Otabek's.

"I don't care," Yuri replied icily, scowling, "And I don't want to talk about this anymore grandpa," especially not in front of Otabek. He didn't need to know how fucked up Yuri's family was, that his mother hadn't even wanted him so she'd left.

Nikolai nodded, wanting to respect his grandson's wishes, but also adding, "Just think about it, Yuri. And stop stealing your boyfriend's food. And bonding- I assume you've spoken about that?" this time, his critical eye was directed at Otabek, one grey eyebrow risen.

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