Chapter Text
The smell of lavender filled his senses, strange.
He must have fallen sick and been taken somewhere, the fabric around him felt odd too, in fact...everything felt odd. Hazily, he opened his eyes, where was he? Everything looked foggy but he could just about make out the drip in his left arm. He was in hospital, something terrible must have happened. This was definitely a hospital...but no hospital he’d ever seen before. All the signs were in a foreign language, and the place was far too...clean.
His eyes travelled to look to the bed but found something obstructing his view. God, he didn’t realise he’d put on that much off season weight. But then...could he feel something...kicking?...no
“HUH?” Yuuri squealed as he sat up, not noticing a shuffling sound beside him as somebody arose from their sleep.
“Yuuri! You’re awake!”
Yuuri froze. That voice, it couldn’t be. Slowly, he turned, eyes wide, and saw him...Victor Nikiforov, 5 times Grand Prix gold medalist. He was smiling, but he looked tired, his eyes were red and his hair was a mess...what the hell was he doing here.
“Vi-Victor...Ni...Nikiforov?”
Victor cocked his head, bringing a finger to his lips.
“Yuuuuuri, you know I prefer Katsuki-Nikiforov”
“HAAAA?”
Yuuri shuffled as far away as he could from the Russian who’s smile faded.
“You...you don’t remember?”
“Re-remember what?”
Yuuri suddenly realised his head felt a little...odd. He went to feel and found a soft cloth bandage wrapped around his forehead, and boy did it hurt.
“You slipped badly on the ice Yuuri, I told you to take it easy because of the baby but you didn’t listen. I was so worried you wouldn’t wake up, the doctors said you might have concussion, you remember me right? It’s me, Vitya!”
“Vitya? B-baby? Wh-what baby?”
Yuuri looked around, stunned, what was happening? Last thing he knew he was at home after a terrible first Grand Prix. Now he was in a hospital with Victor Nikiforov? He must be dreaming surely!
“You should...get some rest...I’ll get you some water” Victor’s voice cracked as he faked a smile and briskly exited the room. Great, now Yuuri was alone in this strange dimension. At least he had some space to think.
Russian, the signs were in Russian, he was in Russia. Another development in this weird story. This must just be some fantasy, right? The sharp kick to his ribs proved otherwise, god that was agonising. He rubbed his distended belly, trying to soothe whatever was in there, only to feel a hand or a foot pressing back. There was definitely a baby rolling around under his clothes, who’s was it? Could it be...Victor’s? No, there was no way...
Yuuri reached for his phone and found it full of unfamiliar numbers and texts. He found one he recognised and called immediately.
“Phichit?”
“Yuuuuuuri! You’re awake!”
The pitch and volume of Phichit’s voice made Yuuri’s head sting. It must have been a nasty fall.
“Yeah, I uh, I am...but...I’m in Russia? And Victor Nikiforov is here. I don’t know what’s going on, everything is strange, I was in Japan just an hour ago-“
“Yuuri what are you talking about, you haven’t been to Japan in over a year? Are you ok?”
Yuuri started to cry
“I don’t think so, I can’t remember anything, what do I do?”
“Ah! Don’t worry Yuuri! You’ll be fine, hold on! I’ll book a flight over and we can work this out together! I think Yurio is coming to see you in a bit so he can help too, gotta rush I’ll see you soon! Ciao ciao!”
“Wait! Phichit! Who’s Yurio?”
There was a loud bang as the door was kicked open.
“IDIOT!”
A small angry Russian boy with long blonde hair stormed into the room and pointed at Yuuri.
“YOU COULD HAVE KILLED YOURSELF PIG! AND THE BABY, WHAT WOULD I DO THEN? HUH? STUPID”
“Y-Yuri Plisetsky? Junior Gold Medalist?”
“HUH!?!”
Suddenly he rushed forward and leant over the bottom of the bed, furious.
“I MAY HAVE ONLY BEATEN YOU ONCE KATSUDON BUT YOU BEST REMEMBER IT, AND I’LL BEAT YOU AGAIN WHEN YOU RETURN TO THE ICE!”
Yuuri shuffled back on the bed and pressed against the wall in an attempt to get away from the intruder.
“I-I-I don’t know what you’re talking about” He started to cry, this was all so strange, he needed....he needed something...but he couldn’t work out what. How much of his life had he forgotten? Shaking, he tried to understand, tried to remember, but his mind was blank. He was so confused, so scared, he was lost in his own head, tears rolling down his cheeks.
Out of nowhere he felt someone grab him and gently pull him into an embrace. The sensation was comforting and Yuuri leant into the stranger’s hold, not looking or realising who it was. A familiar scent surrounded him but he couldn’t place how he knew it, all that came was a faint memory...that slowly grew stronger...almost like a dream...
~~~~~~~~
In the dream Yuuri was sat on a sofa in a room he didn’t recognise, curled up by his feet was- Vicchan? No...
“Makka you’re getting big, maybe we should put you on a diet!”
The dream version of himself laughed as the dog lifted it’s head and woofed contentedly.
Yuuri’s hair looked longer, heart felt lighter, and he was...wearing a Russian Olympic Team hoody??? But, only team members get access to that attire? Unless-
The thought was interrupted by a hazy doorbell ringing. Dream Yuuri rushed to the door, practically floating through a cloud of missing pieces. He opened the door and there was Phichit, grinning and holding various bags.
“СПАСИБО! YUUUURI! YOU NEVER TOLD ME ST PETERSBURG WAS SO-uh, Yuuri? What’s wrong?”
What was wrong? He couldn’t seem to work that out; but his past self was definitely...upset? He could....feel it.
Suddenly they were by the sofa, Phichit’s words were unreadable but somehow old Yuuri knew how to respond. This was all far too confusing, he needed to speak to Phichit in the real world, none of the pieces were coming together...but he was certain this dream was a memory.
~~~~~~~~
Yuuri had fallen asleep.
“Victor...I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-“
“It’s ok Yurio, he’s just a little confused right now”
Victor spoke carefully and quietly as to not wake Yuuri who was sleeping in his arms. He’d come in to find the younger Russian staring stunned; he’d never been good with emotions. Yuuri was a mess and Victor had known exactly what to do. He hastily put the water on the side and slid onto the bed, holding Yuuri tight, it always worked.
“Is...is there anything I can do?”
“...I don’t know. He’s got a very bad concussion, we’re all going to have to help him remember what he’s forgotten, however much that is”
He ran a hand through Yuuri’s hair, heart full of hope that he would recover. They’d made so many memories together, if Yuuri couldn’t remember then he didn’t know what he would do. The least he could ask for was for Yuuri to trust him again, so they could make new memories and raise their child together.