Chapter Text
The Hamster Brigade was, for once, the group responsible for the internet meltdown over Viktuuri. Their excitement was uncontainable. Of course, there were idiots. “If Yuuri really believed he and Viktor were soulmates, why would he want to wait until after he’s had his dream?” The hamsters were all over that, but it made Viktor a little insecure. “You do believe, don’t you?”
“Viktor, I’ve known you for over two years now, and I was a fan for a long time before that. Even if I thought that you were somehow capable of the malice and deception it would take to do something like this, there’s still the little thing where you take soulbonds way too seriously to mess around with them like that. If I don’t dream of you on my eighteenth birthday, something’s gone screwy with our bond, it’s not you lying to me. It’s been a long time since my anxiety’s even tried attacking me on that one.”
Of course, there were people insisting that they were engaged, despite what Yuuri felt was a clear denial. Yuuri and Viktor both just shook their heads and laughed, and got an official statement denying their engagement out through the publicists that ended up doing very little good.
Yakov and Mila left for Mila’s competitions only a couple days after they got back. Viktor and Yuuri left at the same time to go to Hasetsu for Yuuko and Takeshi’s wedding. “It’s very different from a Russian wedding. For one thing, it’s only one day.”
Viktor grinned. “For another thing, there’s less public drunkenness? I know enough about Japanese culture to know that much.”
“Yeah, there’s some drinking, but you’re not supposed to get drunk. There’s usually one or two people who do anyway. I think my dad and Minako have that covered.” Yuuri winked.
The morning of the wedding, Yuuri went to help Takeshi get ready. The wedding began with a temple ceremony attended only by Yuuko and Takeshi’s immediate families and grandparents. Viktor and the Katsukis prepared Yu-Topia for the reception afterward. While they were waiting, Viktor got a call from Mila - she'd gotten bronze at her competition. Viktor passed that along to Yuuri. As extended family and friends started to arrive, Viktor helped them find their seats.
Viktor was rather surprised to see Yuuko in a white dress. It looked beautiful on her, he just thought she’d wear something more… Japanese. “Western stuff is trendy. Besides, it’s probably annoying her mom. She wore a kimono for the temple part. I’m sure Takeshi’s sister took pictures.”
The party started with Yuuko and Takeshi presenting gifts to their parents. Then there was food, and while everyone was eating, people got up to give speeches. As they ate, Yuuri started getting nervous. Between speakers, Viktor squeezed Yuuri’s hand. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. It’s nearly my turn to go talk. I know what I’m going to say and you’d think after the last couple years, talking to people I’ve known all my life would be easy, but it’s not.”
Yuuri’s turn came after a great-uncle had congratulated the couple and told stories about Yuuko’s childhood that would prepare her to be a good wife. “Yuuko and I have known each other since we were very young. She’s been a good friend, always supportive of whatever I tried and willing to help to the best of her ability. When my life changed so dramatically a couple years ago, Yuuko was one of the first people to help me figure out what I needed and what I wanted. She’s a great friend, and from watching my family as a child and watching my friends starting to marry, one of the things I’ve learned is that couples that last have a solid friendship that everything else has been built on.
“Takeshi and I didn’t get along very well at first, but now I consider him to be one of the best friends I’ve got. His father coached me through the early part of my career, and his mother and sister have always treated me as family. The Nishigori family has always had my back, and I am very pleased to know that Takeshi’s soulmate is someone who will continue that. Takeshi quit competing, but he’s still continued skating, and he wants to be a coach himself. I’ve seen him working with children at the rink, and I think he’ll be a good coach, and that that experience will make him a good father. Thanks to Takeshi’s guidance, the Nishigori family will always have my back.
“Yuuko and Takeshi are an inspiration. Their friendship, their support of each other, their respect for each other, fate did an excellent job in choosing them for each other.”
Yuuri sat back down, and Viktor squeezed his hand again. “That was lovely!”
“Thanks. My dad helped me write it. He wouldn’t let me put anything in there about being glad that they’re marrying each other so that I didn’t have to give two speeches for two weddings.”
The party continued through several more speakers. After the last person had spoken, some people started congratulating the newlyweds and leaving. Viktor looked to Yuuri. "We stay."
"Your parents just left..."
"Look around. Everyone who's still here is around Yuuko and Takeshi's age. Celebration with their friends. Mari's probably going to be the oldest person here. This part's more fun, although still formal and very quiet compared to a Russian wedding."
That night, as Viktor prepared for bed, he had a question for Yuuri. “When it’s our turn, do you want to do Russian, Japanese, or both?”
“Both?”
“Create some kind of hybrid of the two. Or do one of each, I certainly wouldn’t mind.”
Yuuri shrugged. “I… have no idea. I’ll have to think about that. I don't know about Russian weddings, but Japanese weddings tend to be very expensive.”
"Russian weddings can be, just in alcohol cost alone, but we can afford it easily. Don't worry about the cost, just think about what you want to do."