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Reasons To Keep You Here (Yuri x AFAB Immigrant Reader) Part 5: CONCLUSION

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey guuuuyyyss taps the mic

So. Yeaah…. What happened was, at first, after the fourth chapter, I got writer’s block. I felt like I needed a break and it wouldn’t hurt anyways since I had an idea on how I wanted to end things, and on what the ‘big event’ of the chapter would be. Then. My fee student subscription to Microsoft Word Doc expired because I graduated, aaand I could not access my files for a while.

So then I transferred them to google.

But that shit got confusing to read because the formatting was not the same

And let’s just say… life just kept getting busy.

The world just keeps turning.

And anytime I finally resolved myself to finishing.

Id be overwhelmed by the little bit of ideas I had left and underwhelmed trying to come up with more padding to make this the best ending.

And I

was just Sisyphus

Carrying this military-clad softcore yandere man up a stairmaster hill.

Please. Take the fruit of my labor. After all this time. Please take my heart and soul. I’m so sorry I have led you on so many times.

Thank you so sososososo goddamn much for sticking with me. For all of you that kept coming back and leaving messages and checking on me. For the peeps that sent me Yuri fanart, wrote essays on Yuri’s personality and trauma, cried and begged and thanked me, wishing me well (OFFERED ME YOUR FIRSTBORN???)

You all made a difference.

This is for you.

~

It had only been a week since that night, but Yuri has been getting BLATANTLY touchier in a way that was making it hard to breathe.

With both your emotions running too high, neither of you could find the courage to talk about the words you exchanged. The aftermath had just been you just waking up alone in your room, him being in a better mood and the usual routine moving on like normal. Except...

He’d lean on you suddenly while you worked, push your hair back gently as you cooked, lingered at the door before having to go to work, just holding your hand.

And he’d stare at you. So intensely and so unlike the glares you’d been used to, his eyes were warm and full of something that made your heart beat stop whenever it happened again. Things were unnaturally tender.

Even as you tried to instigate some good old fashioned Yuri comebacks, there were no more playful, snide remarks, no complaining about your messes, none of the usual spats you had become so used to. Yuri was all soft glances, bashful blushes and submissive responses.

'Y-You know, I think I accidentally put too much spice in this curry, right? Y-You taste it too? Haha, s-sorry! I guess I got too carried away-'

'It’s okay. It’s still good. Thank you for the food.'

'….. nghh….'

It was like he had been replaced with someone else. Someone milder, more well-behaved and conscious of you.

It concerned you enough to talk to Yor about it. She beamed as you described his most recent behavior and told you with a grin that that was the Yuri she knew.

The one that was always a good, obedient boy, the one who loved to receive and give back affection.

In her eyes, though it had taken a while, he was finally getting over his shyness and wasn't hiding his love for you anymore! She jumped with joy and fluttered to make treats in celebration for you to take back to him. Despite her infectious positivity,

You are not so easily convinced.

After burying your crush and coming to accept your role as a platonic comrade, how could you? Yuri was more complicated than the little boy that Yor remembered.

But… there may be some truth in the comparison. If this was how he behaved for her… perhaps it meant that he was seeing you as something closer than you expected. Maybe Yuri has begun seeing you in the same light as a sibling.

I love you.

Your cheeks got warm and you felt a little flustered as you remembered his drunken words. You’d been too afraid to read too much into them, but it felt like you had cracked the code at last.

So that’s what it meant. He loves me a bit like Yor now.

You decide that you are proud of this achievement and ignore the unrequited pain still in your heart.

You accepted this.

You let his touches and hugs and lingering gazes continue with the bittersweet pang dulling more each day.

You even began to embrace this new role; started resting your hand with his on the sofa, smoothed his suit and hair out every morning, took his jacket off and gave him head pats when he returned home. All little things that followed in Yor’s footsteps, to keep things safe.

It messed him up, leaving him shaking, hiding his face, and having to leave suddenly to calm down in another room. This was a little dangerous, you realized.

Teasing him like this was too cute. And a little addicting...

One morning you pushed a bit too far and surprised him. You said he had something in his hair and when you made him lean down, you pressed a quick kiss on his forehead. He snapped. You only caught his face for a few precious seconds but it was completely flushed, with a trembling lip and eyes full of overwhelmed emotion. He retreated quickly behind the door and yelled out a goodbye without looking back.

He didn’t hate it. Was your takeaway as you rested your head against the door and laughed. He didn’t push me or yell at me.

This much is okay.

You clenched your hand over your chest and tried to breathe again.

How lucky you were to have such an amazing family now.

Meanwhile, Yuri was having less than familial thoughts as he rushed to work.

After a week of not getting a reaction out of you, you were finally reciprocating! He had started to get worried, but this had been his own confirmation that you still meant it!

You still loved him!

His heart swelled at the thought of his new relationship. He just wasn't experienced with being in one... How should they take the next big step? Should he be getting bolder..? Ugh. He’s been trying to work his way into creating the perfect situation for a casual kiss but… his nerves always got in the way…

He entered his work and immediately bee-lined to the bathroom, glowering at his reflection as he washed his face. He battled with his thoughts until he ultimately decided to shut off the sink with a sigh.

He should stop putting pressure on himself.

You were both fine.

He could be patient and wait until the perfect time to kiss you. It’s not like there was a deadline…

You both already lasted this long just being friends anyways. And you were married! Neither of you would be going anywhere.

He could wait.

You were both fine.

~

The Briar siblings believe you got kidnapped.

You weren’t.

You had just got distracted, trying to help an old lady find her son in the middle of the city. She had been standing outside your work as you got out after delivering a new batch of strips. She kept asking strangers for directions, but no one stopped. Normally, you wouldn’t have stepped up like this, too nervous to bring any more attention to yourself, but…

After everything that’s happened in your life, your confidence and sense of duty has grown. You approached her with a smile.

She was cautious of you at first, looking you over, but she accepted your assistance. She explained that her husband had recently passed away and she was supposed to go live with her son, but she didn’t know where he’d be. Her bills hadn’t been paid and she’s been cut off before she could figure it out. This area was where he used to live, but that was all she knew.

This was… an ordeal to say the least. You considered leaving her, too, finding a person with such little information in the middle of the city was impossible… but. She looked tired and like she had resigned herself to her fate, leaning hard on her bags and breathing hard. You grimaced at yourself and breathed in before beginning to walk around, asking businesses if they had ever heard of her son’s name before. To your surprise, one of them had. Her son had been a local musician that was beloved by the cafe owner. This didn’t seem to surprise the old lady, she brushed it off and asked where to go.

The business owner didn’t know, but he thought of someone who would. And then that person had someone else who might know. And so on and so forth.

Thus began a goose chase of following vague recollections, old lady in hand. Finally, you tracked down the apartment complex he used to reside in, and the manager held the information you had needed.

Her son was not actually INSIDE the city anymore, but in a smaller, rural town outside of it.

And the last of the buses would leave soon.

You rushed to get there in time, practically carrying all the old lady’s bags and herself as you begged the bus to stay open a little longer.

Dutifully, you even followed her inside, much to her concern. She tried telling you to get off but by then the doors were shut. You just smiled and reassured her that you wanted to make sure she was safe. You both paid your fare and went to sit at the back. You asked her if she even knew how she would find her son once she got to the town. She conceded that she didn’t know.

She kept quiet now, staring out the window. You also settled into the monotony and started thinking about how you would surely get home later than Yuri today.

You hoped you wouldn’t scare him… or Yor… ah- you remembered you had plans with her today. Your expression became troubled, thinking about the fun activities you missed out on, when your hand was unexpectedly grabbed. The old lady was not looking at you, but she gave you a sincere thanks.

She knew today had been a lot, and your kindness was something she felt she hadn't deserved. When you tried brushing it off, telling her that there was no shame in it, she stopped you and clarified that… that wasn’t what she meant. She sighed and began explaining her whole situation better.

Originally, she was going to move in with her son right after her husband's funeral, but he had recently married a girl she… hadn't approved of and she stubbornly decided to stay behind. She kept making excuses and refused to pick up any more of his calls to settle the move. It had actually been months since then, and a recent medical scare dried up her savings and made her realize that she truly could no longer take care of herself. She needed help… and…

She missed her son.

She teared up a bit, still not looking at you, but her grip got tighter. She thanked you again for coming with her, and for helping her so much. Truthfully, she wasn't even sure if he'd want her in his home anymore. Not after the things she had said…

You held her hand back and reassured her that it would be alright. Speaking a little from experience… if she apologized, you were sure her son would give her another chance. You smiled and continued to talk with confidence.

‘Meet them in the middle. Show that you care, and that you’re sorry. I’m sure he’s missed you too. There’s always a hole in the heart of an estranged child…’

She looked at you, surprised, but she warmed up for the first time in a while and showed a hint of a smile.

You were both lucky that when you reached the bus station, her son was already there waiting.

He had been called by one of the acquaintances you had grilled, and he had been there all day, hoping that his mom would find her way safely. Behind him was a woman that looked a little like you, and your heartbeat quickened as you realized why his mother had disapproved of her. And why she had been looking so guilty.

The old lady went to hug her son, and to his surprise, pulled his wife into it as well. The reunion was touching and bittersweet. You were in awe, watching it happen, stricken suddenly by the memory of your own mother and how much you missed her. When you were brought into the conversation, you brushed away your tears and smiled. You were glad you had done this. You were so happy to have helped.

Finally, the conversation died down and everyone had to go back home, the couple insisted on letting you stay the night over to have dinner with them. You shook your head and told them they had a lot to talk about, it wouldn’t be right to intrude. They conceded.

Everyone bid their farewells and walked their own ways. You were excited to tell Yuri all about what you’ve done! But as you looked at the bus schedule to go back to the city, you remembered, too late. Buses heading here had stopped for the day.

The next one wouldn’t be until morning...

Your sights immediately fell on the public telephone booth. You rushed to it, struggling to find enough change to use it. You barely had enough. You inputted the number for Yuri’s work and waited. And waited. And waited. After a long time without any noise, you looked down at the slot in confusion and realized too late. The phone cord was cut.

….. fuck.

~

You didn’t come to hang out with Yor like you had promised the day prior. Yor wondered what had happened. She went to tap on your door, but there was no answer. The only conclusion she could have was that you had gotten preoccupied with work. She was a little worried about your workload, but she resigned herself to a day spent alone… until later in the evening when Yuri knocked on her door.

He asked if you were inside and her face told him everything.

It’s late. You hate going out by yourself. Yor is your only friend.

Where else could you be???

There was only one explanation in both their minds, though they differed slightly.

It’s that organization that’s been taking young women. I knew I should have taken that case.

Someone found out about my personal life. They’re trying to get to me.

Anya, who was behind the two adults, stared wide eyed with concern. Has the danger finally caught up to sweet, innocent you?! Her worry was quickly cut off as the dark auras emanating from both siblings overwhelmed her.

I’m going to kill those pieces of shit.

I will find out who did this and break every bone.

Minds made up, Yor put on the mask of a concerned friend and suggested she help search for you. Yuri agreed and the two made plans to look through very specific, different sections of the city that would not make sense to anyone else.

Only Anya knew how ‘thorough’ their searches would actually be. She tried desperately to wriggle her way into following either of them, using her tears and love for you as a weapon. Yor insisted she should stay home, safe with Loid. Before Anya could protest further, she was picked up by Loid, and held as he assured Yor with a smile that he’d stay with her.

In his mind, he had already decided to call his organization, and was calculating what agents to send on your trail. He could not lose his babysitter, valued neighbor, and Yuri buffer.

Anya was silenced by the shock of his thorough calculations as he bid the duo a safe search and closed the door.

Everyone was trying to find lil old you, who was still sitting on the bus bench, doodling in the ground with a stick. You were deep in despair, regretting not taking up the family on their offer… when the most perplexing thing happened.

A sleek, black car drove up to you on the side of the road. An elegant woman with orange hair peeked out and spoke to you from inside.

‘Hello, sweetheart. Are you in dire need of a ride?’

You are now a firm believer in karma. You exploded into tears and desperately begged for her to take you back to the city. She laughed and let you in. You felt uneasy about being in a car with a stranger, but conversation bubbled naturally with her. You explained what had happened that led you there, and kept thanking the nice lady so profusely that it was frankly making her take more pity on you. She could tell you were a good girl.

She let you off with a pat on the back and a reminder to keep a good head on your shoulders. You can’t help anyone if you can’t help yourself.

You agreed and got out, staying long enough to watch the car leave. You were so ready to sit on your couch, to eat some leftovers and watch a rerun. You sighed in relief and were about to practically skip to your apartment, when a hit to the head stopped you and made you fall to the ground.

Yuri had watched you get out of the car and ran, at first with concern… but after seeing you smiling at the person inside, it became fury. Thus, he tackled you. He picked you up from the shoulders like you were nothing and began shaking you, screaming about how worried you had made everyone, asking who you had been with, why you left without a note, and adamantly proclaiming that you would have to be punished for this. His anger was enough to make you start crying again.

Your watery sorrys made him stop his shaking, but not let go, he paused and blinked away his own tears, continuing instead with his barrage of insults for making him worry, swearing he would not make you breakfast tomorrow like he'd promised.

‘Yuri, stop! Y/N’s face is turning blue!!’

From the shadows came Yor, a pleading look on her face… and a concerning number of red splatters on her clothing.

Your eyes are zeroed in on them and you want to ask about it, but the two siblings are talking to each other about the situation. When Yor was caught up, she was the one to ask you to explain what had happened. When you finished telling them everything, Yor took you away from Yuri’s now relaxed grip and embraced you.

‘Oh, you sweet, sweet thing…’

‘You are so DUMB.’

‘Her heart was in the right place!’

Too tired to continue arguing, you stopped them and asked to go home now. Yor lets you go and wipes your face with a sleeve, still coddling you and holding your hand all the way to your apartment. Yuri lagged behind. As soon as you were inside, you ran to the couch and jumped face-first onto it. You groaned like the dead.

‘Home! Home! I missed you so much! I’m never helping anyone again!!!'

‘Good.’

The reply was so unexpected, you turned your head to look at Yuri. He still had his arms crossed, his back turned to you as he poured water into a glass.

‘You could’ve stopped helping that woman anytime. Why did you go so out of your way for her?? Have you lost your mind?! And to top it all off, what? She ended up being one of those… those close-minded idiots. It isn't like you to risk yourself like that!’

‘What do you mean?’

Yuri stopped himself for a bit. He didn’t want to be the one to say it, but. ‘You’re usually smarter than this! You know how biggoted strangers are. You’re uncomfortable every minute you’re outside and alone because of… how things have been with people like you right now. Why did you decide to play hero today?’

… you hid your face in the pillow again.

‘It’s stupid.’

‘You’re already stupid, stupid.’

‘Uuugh…’

You reached for another pillow and buried it on top of your head further, drowning him out as you confessed,

‘… I thought about you.’

‘…? Speak up, you’re muffled.’

Drowsiness was taking over, but it also loosened your lips a little.

‘I thought about… how good you are. How dutiful you would have been if you'd seen her struggling, too. And I wanted to be like you… to make you proud. To be a hero like you are.’

Yuri’s lack of an immediate response helped your drift into dreamland. It took a while for his gears to turn, but when they did, they were focused on one thing.

‘… you wanted to be like me?’

There was no response. Your breathing gave you away. Yuri stayed where he was for a while, staring, holding the glass of water and still thinking. Eventually, he set it down and picked you up to put you to bed. He’d never tell you about how he felt when he thought you’d been kidnapped. About how frantically he had asked a coworker for help. How he had been ready to sneak into work to get files on the most likely suspects, do things off the clock. Without proper procedure. He was so close to toeing the line of not being good. Being very selfish. He can’t sustain being like that. His job meant everything to him… or. It used to… damnit. Did he love you THAT much, to do something so ILLEGAL and DANGEROUS?

He can’t help the laughter that is stifled in his chest as he buries a hand over his face and sits on your bed. He’s tired and feeling foolish and manic at the same time.

He can’t have you ruining his thoughts again. That’s all you’ve been doing, ever since this mess started; make him overthink everything he held as his personal values... Some of them he had accepted, but to put you over the protocols of his work?

… that’s just… too dangerous for the both of you. He squeezed his knee and released a sigh. He needed to calm down. For that, he looked back down at you.

He focused on the fact that you’re here beside him. Asleep, mouth open. Looking incredibly childish… His heart squeezed as he suppressed a smile over his dumbass.

He’d take a picture if he could and embarrass you with it anytime you stepped out of line again.

The thought made him lose the will to hide the grin. An idea occurred to him that made him nervous again. He looked around himself shyly, feeling like he was about to do something more illegal than getting confidential documents. Since you worked him into such a frenzy today, a-and you WERE officially a couple… he deserves a little reward, right?

He lowered himself, shakily, shut his eyes… and retracted quickly as soon as his lips connected with the top of your head. Just a small kiss.

You stirred a bit, making him jump out of the bed, his defenses ready with an excuse, but

you stayed asleep.

With a smile on your face now.

You’re safe. You’re here. And he still gets to have little moments like these that make him feel so… happy.

He sighed in frustration and left your room in a hurry to get to his own bed.

The next morning, he made you breakfast, regardless.

~

Yuri has had an uptick on late night assignments again, so you unfortunately haven’t been able to see him as often… but you knew better than to ask him about it.

Instead, you continued to support him by making him lunch boxes, leaving leftovers in the fridge and doing all of the house chores to let him rest while he’s at home. Still, his workload got so bad, that you couldn’t even see him anymore. He had to resort to leaving you notes of thanks everyday to show that he valued your help. That softened some of the guilt you had for not being able to stay up late to see him come home like you used to.

Though it hurt.

Your comic strips are getting turned into a book, and you’ve had to work closely with the publishing company to get the order and style of it right.

Unbeknownst to you, a big, popular chain of bookstores has also been trying to ask your company if they'd like to have a partnership with the book sales. To have the author sit and sign copies for people who purchase it in a specific location. When they first proposed the idea, your company had been very against it; they did not want to remind people of your gender, and potentially worse, of your ethnicity. Still, the interested party pestered them with the offer and reassured them that the article that ‘exposed’ your identity had also made you infamous among your readers.

Ultimately, money won the argument.

You are blindsided as you were told a week before your book’s launch to prepare some ‘appropriate makeup and clothing’ for the event. They explained that you were gonna be seeing a lot of impressionable children and their parents. Since you were not someone ideal, the company urged you to at least do your best to look like a respectable female citizen for the girls that looked up to you.

You are back at Yor’s door asking for help.

She excitedly obliges, cooing over you for your success as she chooses your dress and make up again. She’s been an avid supporter of yours ever since the secret came out that you were a cartoonist. She had been so impressed over her talented best friend! You laughed as she pulled out clothing options. You remembered how much you hated dressing up but nowadays, with Yor, it felt like less of a pain. It was doable.

As she sat you down in front of the mirror, you instead started thinking about the event and felt the pit in your stomach grow. Seeing your worried expression, Yor asked you what was wrong. You confessed to her that you were a little afraid about who would be there. To you, it felt like your job breezed over your safety… you were sure there’d be a lot of disapproval, a protest… a riot?

Or your fans could possibly just… realize you weren’t someone they liked and leave.

Yor stopped what she was doing and looked at you. Your eyes darted away and you felt compelled to explain more. You know these are just what-ifs but you were… scared. Because time and time again, life has shown you that you were not someone society liked. And once your fans saw this for themselves… even when this wasn’t your idea, even if you would have preferred never to have done something like this, whatever bad that happened afterwards would be blamed on you.

Seeing the state you were in broke Yor’s heart. She asked you if Yuri would be taking time off to attend; after all, these were valid concerns and he was your HUSBAND! He should be there to support you! You couldn’t keep yourself from grimacing. You confessed that you… hadn’t had the time to tell him about it.

He’d been super busy and tired, and in his notes, he insisted that it would only be until the end of the month. What he was working on was imperative and could not be put off. Remembering how dangerous his work could be, you didn’t want to add to his plate. You felt like you had to do this alone, like you would’ve done in the past.

Yor noticed your sad tone, pulled up your hair into a beautiful bun and hummed softly. She remembered your past talks about your family, and she felt a pang as she thought about how lonely she used to feel, too. How she faced every problem alone, and how hard it had been on her. But… that shouldn’t be how either of you deal with things anymore! You were family! And family finds a way to stick together!!

She grabbed your shoulders, smiled, and reassured you that she would be attending to support you on her brother’s behalf! You blinked in surprise. She continued by clarifying that she was going to take Anya to the book signing anyways, they'd stick around for the whole thing and, if something did happen with your fans, they’d be there for you!

You teared up a little and laughed. You asked if she was sure she wanted to do this, you were worried that they might get bored or hurt, but Yor shook her head and insisted that you had nothing to worry about.

Things would be fine!

She continued to mess around with your appearance, instead, determined to help you look as trendy and beautiful as ever. She didn’t just want you to blend with society, she wanted you to stand out!

You felt very uneasy, but having someone on your corner softened you up. You were so grateful to have such a wonderful friend. Such a wonderful sister-in-law…

~

When the day came, you had to wake up early to go to work so that you could be driven to the bookstore. When your coworkers saw you, it was clear that Yor’s help had not been in vain.

The usual rude and pushy comments were missing as your boss complimented your appearance, you were given a cup of coffee without needing to ask, and your editor stammered through his directions of how the day will go. Just four hours of you signing books, your editor would time every interaction, and afterwards, you would come back to work to reconvene.

You nodded along, knowing this already, and another wave of anxiety over the lack of security lingered in the back of your mind. Your boss had nixed it, telling you that it would scare the children and ruin the ‘family friendly’ vibe. Your boss noticed your tension but didn’t say anything. For the first time in your entire time working there, he looked a little ashamed. It surprised you.

You were ushered quickly to the car with your editor. Once you were being driven to the store, the silence made you reflect on the shift in everyone’s behavior. You came to work dolled up and… it made that much of a difference? This made you feel…

Gross.

You hated that your appearance had that much of an effect on how you were treated. Your anger made you sigh and look out the window. Your editor jumped a little, but kept his head down. His usually uppity demeanor was replaced with one that was like a nervous schoolboy. You laughed internally.

When the car stopped, your nerves came back and your hands shook. Your editor told you to wait while he opened your door. When you stepped outside you steeled your expectations but you were first greeted with-

Cheers. The sound of kids cheering excitedly for you.

Your heartbeat raced as you took in the joyous crowd, your eyes landing at the front of the line. At Yor and Anya, holding a massive bouquet of flowers, waving with glee.

You teared up and waved, stuttering as you thanked everyone for coming. You felt breathless as you were ushered into the store, with your cheeks warm and chest hammering. You were sat in a cute seat with posters of your characters and book stands around your table. In a flash, your editor called for the door to be opened. Your day began.

~

Another hard day of keeping his country safe.

Yuri let out a long, tired breath as he got out of his superior’s office with new intel. His workday was far from over, but he was already feeling the fatigue that came from being held for long hours and without breaks.

To be fair, it had been a successful month. A new lead with one of the kidnappers had kicked everyone into overdrive, squashing other hideouts for a renegade group of government-traitors.

Now with the month nearly done, they had almost wiped the whole organization off with only a few known stragglers left. It cheered Yuri up to know that he was doing good, and soon enough, it would be rewarded with more time to spend with his… beloved wife….

Augh, his thoughts were getting corny.

He blushed to himself and went to get a coffee from the break room. His usual comic-reading companion was absent again… Yuri lamented not getting to see him lately to catch up on the latest strips when another coworker caught him and called out.

‘Oh hey! I didn’t expect to see you here! I thought for sure you’d be in the book-signing too!’

Yuri glanced at the woman, the receptionist who had only recently begun to chat with Yuri and his coworker.

‘Book-signing? Why would I?’

The assistant’s eyes widened and she pushed her round glasses back up.

‘O-Oh? Y-Your wife’s book signing! Your friend pulled all the strings so he could to go with his daughter today! I thought you would too..?’

Yuri’s aura immediately changed to the same dangerous one he used for interrogations. The poor woman squeaked and took a step back, hiding behind her mug. He moved slowly towards her.

‘I’m going to need you to explain a few things to me, Mrs. Silva…’

~

The event would only last until 4 in the afternoon, but already, your hand was starting to cramp up because of how above and beyond you were going for your little fans…

Somewhat as you had feared, there had been a few people in line that would take one look at you and leave, but the long line only seemed to duplicate with time despite them, and your fans that stayed were incredibly welcoming.

For each one, you would quickly try to sketch them in your style along with your signature, making them squeal and, on a few occasions, cry.

Even with the pain, you didn’t stop.

True to her word, Yor and Anya settled in a corner of the bookstore that was still within view, lounging on the chairs provided that allowed patrons to read. Anya was excitedly pointing out her favorite scenes to a friend of hers who had also come, a pretty girl with a pair of bodyguards. You wondered if your little brothers made friends as protected as Anya, or if it was just a testament of the school she was going to… Your attention was taken back by a fan that handed you a tiny, handmade book.

A lot of thoughtful kids had come today with handmade gifts; cookies, flowers, and their own drawings to share with you. But this pair of girls had come with their own comic? You took them in, surprised that they had taken the time to even dress up as the characters of your little girl and her imaginary friend. The costumes were amateurly made; just scraps of cloth glued together with accessories, but the girls wore them with pride and excitement.

Your awe was evident as you gasped, and their little hearts swelled with happiness. They showed it off as they excitedly talked about how they made it themselves, with only a LITTLE help from their parents!

The one dressed up as the imaginary friend had a little more polish in her costume, and she mostly talked about how hard it was to find accessories with her mom while the girl that was dressed as your main character interrupted to nudge her dad into the conversation and talk about how he helped her sew things up.

It was then that you took a good look at the man who had come with them. He was a familiar face that made your body tremble a little, remembering the day you’d gotten into danger.

It was Yuri’s coworker.

You looked away defensively as you signed the girl’s copies of the books, but when you looked back up, he smiled warmly at you, calming your nerves, and you found yourself smiling back.

His daughter was still talking about how they both had to learn together how to sew for the little stars in her dress when he cut in.

‘Camila, you should talk about your comic before your time is up! I’m sorry, these girls have been working really hard to give this to you.’

You reassured him it was okay and looked down at the girls. They were suddenly back to looking bashful as they approached you and motioned at the booklet.

‘Ah… y-eah… it’s not much…’

‘We’ve just been k-kinda making our own version of what the imaginary friend’s world was like- um.’

‘A-And we thought it’d be fun to imagine how it would be if the family got trapped there i-instead…’

Your mouth hung open for a split second before moving up into a big grin. You gently picked the book from their hands and flipped through the pages, impressed by the colors and designs. The strip boxes were uneven, there was some out-of-line coloring, but the love behind it made your eyes well up. You got up from your table and kneeled down next to them.

‘Girls, this is… I can’t even put it to words! This is so amazing!! The costumes and the book!’

You laughed and wiped at your face.

'You girls are so creative!!'

Your manager was trying to get your attention to tell you that the five minutes had been over, but you disregarded him as you opened your arms and both girls eagerly jumped at the chance to hug you.

‘You’ve made me so happy today! Thank you so much for reading my work!!’

Both girls cheered until Camila’s dad pulled them away and apologized to your manager for taking up so much time. You got up and wiped your eyes some more, waving at them as they waved back and kept yelling out compliments even as Camila’s dad picked them up to each of his shoulders and walked away.

Your gently put the book away and checked that your make up was good enough to keep going. To your relief, it was. You turned back around and greeted the next nervous fan with renewed vigor. You were going to finish this strong and make it memorable for everyone as a thank you for their support. For the fans!!

~

‘East 22th Street…. East 22th Street…’

Yuri repeated the street of the bookstore. He cursed the location being so far away from work; there was no way he was getting back before his lunch ended but he couldn’t think about that right now. He had to at least catch the end of your special event. He had to go and get a book. He had to congratulate you. He had to SCOLD YOU FOR KEEPING IT FROM HIM.

HE WAS SO ANGRY AT YOU!!

He unbuttoned the top of his shirt and loosened his tie as he panted, having reached the correct street. He was so out of breath that he considered stopping to catch it, but he assumed he could do that while waiting in line to get to you. He prayed that the crowd would be smaller by now so he could yell at you sooner. He reached the bookstore at last, and turned the knob.

~

The signing was almost over. You turned to look again at Yor and Anya. The pink haired girl was sound asleep in the couch with her head in Yor’s lap. Yor noticed your gaze and looked up from her book, waving reassuringly. You felt so much love for her and her family, for all their help and affection. You were definitely going to treat them to something, you decided.

'FINALLY, IT’S OUR TURN!'

'HEY, Y/N!!'

You jumped as you saw your siblings clamoring over to you with a book shared between the two. Your tired cheeks hurt now too, but you beared with it as you grinned at seeing them. You hadn’t expected this.

'Hey, twerps! How’d you find out about this?'

'Mom read about it on the paper!'

You blinked and suddenly realized that there had been a person still hovering back, looking unsure.

Your mother.

'Oh… hi.' Was all you could really get out. This was going to get awkward. You glanced at your editor but he had long checked out, sitting with a book pulled out as his timer continued to tick.

Your mother stepped forward and coughed softly, the same strained smile you knew from your childhood, saved in cases where she felt forced to pretend things were okay. Your heart immediately hardened.

'I was so surprised to read about this… uh… successful book you have! Who knew that you were an artist all along?'

'Hmm…' You humored her with just a noise as you took the book from your brothers and began doodling them. They were excitedly watching you, praising your penmanship, innocent to the tension.

'Y/N… I…'

You handed the book back to the boys and asked them if they were really caught up on your comic. They looked sheepish as they admitted that they were behind but they were adamant that they would get around to it! You laughed and pet their heads, knowing that reading wasn’t their preferred past time. But their support still meant everything.

'Darling…'

Finally, you looked at your mom and the expression on your face made her flinch. She clutched her bag and took in a breath. Her smile was gone and she was looking at the floor now. Your interest was piqued.

'I’m… so happy for you, Y/N.' You stared at her with your face blank. She gave a small, genuine smile and finally met your eyes again.

'I was always worried about how your future would be… I know I haven’t been a good mother to you… not since…'

'Since you married a pig?'

She flinched again and took a deep breath, choosing to ignore your insult to her husband. The twins looked at you with wide eyes and it was the only thing that made you regret what you said. Your mom continued.

'I understand, I haven’t been there for you. I just wanted to clear the air first and say, I am sor-'

Before she could finish, a figure cut through the line.

And all hell broke loose.

Time slowed down as a slur you knew too well was flung at not just you, but at your mom and brothers.

'Ever since that law was passed I feel like I can’t walk three paces without seeing one of you loitering in public, and there’s a bunch of you right here?'

A big man walked up to your booth, forgoing the line. He looked rough, angry and built. Your body swirled with anticipation.

“Sir, you have to get in line if you want a book.” You tried to warn him, and eyed your editor, who didn’t appear to look up from his reading.

The man ignored your question and took one look at the display you sat in. He huffed. 'They’re even letting you make books now? This country is really going downhill.'

To your relief, the alarm decided time was up and finally, the editor put his book down. You looked at him and he sensed the panic in your face instantly. He got up and tried to keep the stranger away.

'Hey now, if you want your turn you have to wait-'

'You think I want to pay to see her? No, no one should be giving that wench any money. What’s she even here for? You mean to tell me she’s married?'

The editor finally felt the hostility in the man and moved to push him away, only to get pushed back harder. He fell on your book stand and the leftover fans clung to each other, moving to the side.

Your stomach dropped as you saw him coming at you.

‘Someone needs to teach everyone else how to put you in your place. I’ll drag you out of here by the hairs if I have to.”

You thought about your mother and your siblings stuck like deer in headlights. You had to act. You picked up a book and chucked it at him, hitting him in the face as you got out of your seat and went to pull them back behind you.

'UGH, you’re going to pay for that you cunt!'

You could see Yor behind him, also rushing towards you, going so fast it almost made you want to keep your eyes on her, but the sound of your mother’s scream brought your senses back to the danger.

To the man being pummeled in the face by a red-faced, sweating, disarrayed Yuri. The small crowd backed away as he pinned the man down and shouted at him to shut the FUCK up.

'NOBODY TALKS TO MY WIFE THAT WAY!'

~

Needless to say the event ended after that. You apologized profusely to the fans that had been left over, quickly signing as many of their books as you could before they had to all be pushed out by the staff.

Your little brothers stared, slackjawed, at Yuri as he helped hand over the perpetrator to the police. The man got a limp and the whole right side of his face was swelled shut.

'He came out of nowhere…'

'L-Like a hero...'

You smiled as you hoped their conflict with Yuri may have resolved itself. You always hoped they would get along. Your mom held both their hands and breathed out heavily in relief now that the danger had passed. She kept glancing between Yuri and you, eventually settling on just you.

'We should go… but… before that…'

She moved closer and whispered.

'You chose a damn good husband. I’m so proud of you.'

She blushed as she said this, looking at the floor. Then she stumbled out with your brothers still protesting, wanting to talk to Yuri.

You felt conflicted as you watched her go. You were relieved, tired… sad. You wish she had maybe said something different before she left. It felt like, in the end, the only accomplishment she could really be proud of was your choice in men. You felt angry, but the resentment left your body as soon as you felt a hand on your shoulder.

You turned around and saw Yuri, in all his furious glory.

'So you were just not gonna tell me about your milestone in your career? Does your husband matter that little to you!?'

You cracked a smile as the relief of having been saved washed over you so hard you laughed. You were in big trouble, but you didn’t care. You hugged him and his demeanor quickly changed from angry to flustered.

'W-What are you-?'

He stopped himself as you squeezed him and he got to feel your heartbeat. Shit, you had been scared, weren’t you? He held you back and whispered. 'He didn’t get to hurt you, right? I just came in, saw everyone looking at him… and him charging at you and I…

He stopped and clung to you a little harder.

You nodded and reassured him while patting his back. 'You got to him just in time. I’m… sorry for not telling you.'

Yuri sighed and rested his chin on your head. 'Even if I was busy… I would’ve come. I mean, look at me.' He pulled away and you got to see the state he was in. Shirt untucked, crumpled, unbuttoned. Hair messed up and slick with sweat, His tie was missing and he was still flushed and out of breath. He looked a mess. You held in another laugh and he felt his nerves tingle because while you were staring at him… he also stared at you.

You were so dolled up, pretty, and professional looking. He had seen you like this before but… this felt different. This was after he loved you. And here he was looking like shit. He felt so embarrassed, he growled at himself and hid his face in his hands, red as a beet.

'I ran as fast as I could, okay? God fucking damn, did it have to be the bookstore on the OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE CITY?'

You laughed harder and leaned your body weight on him as you buried your face in his chest, the both of you swaying. You could barely let out a sentence.

‘I... didn’t get…. to choose the bookstore!”

He wrapped an arm around your back, exasperated. 'Yeah yeah, laugh it all off. You are SO loved and for WHAT? Idiot…'

You shook as you finally controlled yourself enough to be able to breathe again. Your hazy thoughts returned to your mom’s words that were stuck in your head. You repeated them to yourself. 'I chose a damn good husband, huh?'

Yuri blushed, his lips shaking as he fought off a grin. '… Yeah?'

You looked up at him and nodded, beaming.

His will broke and he smiled now too, gazes stuck on each other until something else caught his attention and you felt his body still in your arms.

Huh?

You watched as his face dropped, then twisted in panic. He let go of you, leaving you stumbling and turning as he rushed to the back of the book store and suddenly-

You remembered your place.

~

From afar, Yor had been watching with stars in her eyes. Holding the still-sleepy Anya, she had bore witness to the cute scene of her brother protecting and hugging his wife but now, he came running to her instead?

Yor’s expression became confused as he began his usual flittering of concern towards her. She was okay! She assured him… and her eyes went back to you. You just looked at them, smiling… but it also looked… so sad.

At that point, your editor had finished talking to the police about the incident and carefully went to tap on your shoulder so you could go back to work. Yor wanted to call out, to keep you longer, it felt wrong to just let you go… but the look she had seen on your face kept the words stuck on her throat.

'There she goes…' She whispered instead.

'What?' Yuri’s eyes widened and he turned just in time to see your back leaving the store.

Yor clung to Anya and sighed as soon as you were out of sight. It woke the girl up from her deep nap.

‘I ended up not doing a good job of protecting her...’

Anya rubbed her eyes, barely able to register that something had not gone right by the thought in her mom’s mind. She tried looking around to figure out what had happened when suddenly, an influx of angry thoughts avalanched from an unexpected source.

She turned to her ‘uncle’, distraught, gripping his hands tight with his mouth pulled taught over his teeth.

She just left? I did all that and she didn’t even say goodbye!! The nerve of that girl!! Weren’t we having a- a moment?? She’s been so confusing these days...

Anya blinked. When had he gotten here?

Yor’s voice cut through the fog of negativity.

'Well, we’ve been out long enough. We need to go and get something to eat.'

She looked towards her brother and asked, 'Will you be returning to work?'

Yuri released a breath and his shoulders relaxed, though his eyes stayed glued to the door.

'I just ran out of the office… I need to go back and apologize.' Yuri felt concern as it occurred to him, again. He had put you above his duty. This… shouldn’t be normal.

Yor’s smile returned and she pressed a hand against his back.

'I’m sure it meant a lot to her that you came to see her.'

Yuri looked at Yor, wanting to speak, but his conscience weighed heavy on him as he took her in.

He hadn’t expected her to be here. To witness him doing that for another woman. For her to ever console him about someone else.

Yor was his sister. The person who raised him; the only one who was always there for him, unconditionally, his entire life. He had promised himself to pay her back with his life; to stay devoted to her for everything she did to raise him. He had believed that she would stay his only priority, but since he’d fallen in love, it felt… like he was cheating those ideals.

He hadn’t even noticed her in the shop until after he had gone so far to comfort you.

He felt so guilty.

Yor misread his expression and continued to console him as she put Anya down.

'She probably had to rush to work after the police took so long to get here… poor dear… I’m sure she would have come to say goodbye if she could, but, well… we both know how her work treats her…'

She pressed a hand against her cheek as she recounted the stories you had confessed to her as she did your make up.

She whispered, 'I hope this doesn’t get twisted to reflect poorly on her…'

Yuri narrowed his eyes and looked at the floor, concern for you flaring back up against his panic over his priorities. They better not start anything over this. You were a legal, married citizen. You were just doing your job. He was spiraling when Yor’s voice continued to distract his thoughts.

'Still, I am so proud of you both. She’s come such a long way from how she used to be, hasn’t she? Being able to face the public, to open up and greet her fans. Even throwing books at assailants. Hah! And you… I don’t know when I’ve ever seen you this happy.' Yor’s smile was genuine and radiating. 'I’m so glad you found each other.'

It hurt.

Yor reached for Anya’s hand and pressed a hat on her head before turning to pat his back one last time.

'You make a great husband, Yuri.' She cheered.

She walked away, but Anya lagged behind as she craned her neck to look at the confusing, childish and depressed adult they were leaving behind.

Do I..?

Anya narrowed her eyes and walked through the door, following Yor’s steps as she became free from his influence.

Not at all! She decided.

~

He got home late as punishment for leaving so abruptly and for so long. His boss had given him a scolding but, being his favorite dog, he was ultimately lenient. THIS time. Yuri had been giving him the results he needed, but if this ever happened again, there would be worse consequences. Yuri was relieved that he only had to work long hours for a little longer and things would be back to normal soon.

The way home was spent with him reminiscing over your weird exit. He wanted to feel angry at your rudeness, for leaving him while he checked on his sister, but... he was honestly too tired for that. And, Yor had a point. You were constantly on thin ice with your work. He was sure your strings were pulled so that you had to leave fast.

Yor…

As he walked up the stairs and saw your shared apartment door, his gaze flickered to his sister’s.

Yor had seen the way he saved you. She had even gushed about it. She was so PROUD of him becoming a good husband. But… has he been a good brother?

How long had it been since he had thought about her? He could see her as much as he wanted now but he hadn’t taken advantage of it like he had planned. Instead, all his time had been spent helping you. Talking to you. Hanging out with you. Thinking of…

You.

Like it or not, he has completely changed.

With a heavy heart, he stepped inside your shared apartment. He was prepared for just another quick sleep to recharge, but was surprised by the smell of something baking. You were awake? Had you stayed up for him again?

His heart raced as he took his coat off and walked over to the kitchen. Despite the sea of conflicted emotions he still had, he wanted nothing more than to see your face. He walked in just in time to see you messily biting into a sweet smelling bread covered in sugar and cinnamon. You looked like a dork.

He almost smiled as you looked up but his lips froze and he studied your eyes. He felt… something off about your expression.

'Ah, looks like I was caught! Sorry, I waited for as long as I could but… it’s hard to guess when you’re coming home.' Your tone sounded wrong, too. Yuri frowned and sat down next to you, instantly interrogating.

'Are you okay? Was work hard on you for what happened? It wasn’t your fault at all! How come there wasn’t any sort of security at such an open-'

'No, it was okay! They didn’t scold me or anything. They just kind of… apologized.'

'Huh..?'

You laughed but it didn’t reach your eyes. You raised a cup of tea to your lips and blew.

'I don’t know. Something about seeing me in a dress made them more chivalrous, I guess.'

Yuri fumed hearing this and crushed the bread he had picked up. His emotions flared up.

'They were OGLING you??'

You scratched your neck and set your cup back down after taking a long sip.

'Yeah… safe to say I don’t want to do that again…' You considered your future and took back the sentiment. 'Not unless it’s for another book signing event…'

Yuri ate his pastry quickly as he studied your face. He was still angry over your coworkers making eyes at you… a married woman! HIS married woman! But... You looked like you had really enjoyed the day. He relaxed a little, but still held a pout.

'… The event was ultimately good then? In the end?'

You paused, considering how to respond, turned to face him and nodded softly.

'Yeah… it was good.'

He sighed and put his jealousy aside.

'Then I’m glad for you.' Yuri reached over to pet you but you turned your head and ducked out before he could. Huh?

'Thank you… now come on, we should be going to bed. I mean, I have tomorrow off, but you… you still have work, don’t you?'

Yuri let his hand drop and looked at you with furrowed brows. What was that? You weren’t going to mention anything at all? Something’s been going on with your attitude today...

'Yuri? It’s late you know.'

… he narrowed his eyes and got up from his seat. He wouldn’t say anything today.

'Yeah, I work tomorrow. But I’m going to be able to spend more time with you next week…'

You looked a little surprised, that normalcy would be back so soon, but you waved it away with a smile. It also didn’t reach your eyes.

'I can’t wait, then!'

Yuri’s heart squeezed and he left without another word.

~

Rumors of Yuri leaving work early spread around the office. Now it had been 2 days later, and he had really become their favorite pet to pick on. Yuri was NOT in any mood to entertain. He was haggard and on his last rope, feeling the weight of his concerns weighing every step he took. He did his best to ignore everyone trying to talk to him about how his wife’s event went, but it became impossible once the Friday paper was spread through out the break room.

Laughter broke through as people got to read all about the passionate husband who stopped an assault on his wife, the beloved up-and-coming children’s comic artist.

Yuri could only bite his tongue and seethe as certain coworkers became more endeared with their young member.

'So he’s like a guard dog on-and-off duty!'

'Way to go, stopping people who disrespect our laws, Yuri! Your wife got her citizenship fair and square!'

Yuri breathed loudly as he opened his locker.

He hated the attention. And he hated the narrative that was being spread. “Yuri, the junior officer who redeemed his creepy habits and has become a devoted husband.” It was a backhanded insult… and was giving him too much credit.

You haven’t reached out with a sticky note in days. He thought, again, about the face you made that night. How you avoided his touch. Had he made you mad? Why? How? He hadn’t done anything wrong! Why didn’t you talk to him about it? Why was he stuck having to guess what had made you start avoiding him? He already had plenty to worry about. His work, his nation, his boss, your work, your family, Yor’s family, his relationship with his sister… What pushed you to become like this?

It all started when you had left him behind at the book shop…

While he was with Yor.

He faltered as he was unbuttoning his uniform jacket. He felt a pit in his stomach as he was finally face to face with the problem he had avoided for so long.

His one-track mindedness. His stubbornness. His obsession.

He cringed and held his clothes to his face to bury his head into. His reputation.

He was so happy that he had fallen in love, but he completely neglected how things would actually play out with his sister.

And now he was feeling like shit.

He began to list his flaws in his head.

A good husband wouldn’t have started the marriage out of some convoluted convenience. Wouldn’t headbutt their wife when he felt overwhelmed with emotions. Wouldn’t bicker, wouldn’t insult, wouldn’t make his wife worry about his safety.

A good husband would be a clean slate. Someone willing to cherish and devote himself to his wife without guilt or prior responsibilities holding him back.

It’d be without putting his country over her safety. His job over her happiness. His sister over her.

As he put up his clothes, his eyes focused on the pictures of Yor he had plastered all over his locker.

He had covered it with as many as he could get his hands on to motivate him throughout the day. To remind him who he was fighting for. But.. he hardly looked at them anymore.

He was always trying to get home fast to you.

His hands shook as he closed it. He went to clock out.

Mrs. Silva was at the desk and could not look him in the eyes, pretending to stack papers together instead. He felt a twinge of guilt over how hard he had grilled her yesterday. He signed the paper quickly and left.

As he walked out, he was stopped by none other than his comic-reading buddy.

'Yuri! Just who I wanted to see! I know it’s late, but how about we go get some dinner? My treat!'

~

The man was as boisterous as ever, but Yuri didn’t seem to mind. He never overstepped, and he had been supportive of you from the get-go. He was a good guy.

He was recounting how he had helped his daughter make a costume for your book signing, and how she was over the stars when she finally got to meet you.

'When I met her during that retrieval mission, I knew she wouldn’t disappoint my daughter’s image of her. And I was right. She was so polite and kind. She’s really good with children, huh, Yuri? Say, when are you two…? Huh?'

Yuri’s tired eyes were on his meal but he couldn’t focus. He had listened to his coworker’s words, but it was like he couldn’t bring himself to feel anything at the moment. The older man looked at him, concerned.

'What’s on your mind? You haven’t said a word since I invited you out.'

Yuri weighed his options as he considered lying… but. He supposed, if he could ask anyone any questions about being a married man… he was someone who’s opinion he could trust. Yuri sighed and placed a hand on the back of his neck.

'… I’m afraid I haven’t been a proper husband to my wife.'

The man’s eyebrows rose. 'Proper...? How so?'

Yuri looked uncomfortable and tried to formulate his thoughts in a way that wouldn’t make him look more pathetic.

'I… have never been in a relationship as deep as my wife and… it feels like… I either stay the same and risk her well-being with my other priorities… or I change things that were fundamental to me… for good.'

He shuffled as he considered how traitorous his next sentence would sound. He took another deep breath in and nevertheless, asked.

'How… do you balance work with your family?'

His coworker’s eyes narrowed as he understood what Yuri was insinuating. It made Yuri sweat, but the voice that came out was gentle and firm.

'Yuri, I would do anything for my family. It’s… hard, I will admit, to balance the two but. The reason I’m looking after my country is for their sakes, isn’t it? To protect their smiles, my Camila’s future.'

Yuri nodded, that was how he had felt with Yor. That was how love was supposed to be then, right? If he would go so far for Yor… why shouldn’t that include you, too? Still…

Quieter, Yuri asked.

'… and … how do you go about separating your priorities in family and... love?'

The big man blinked and gazed at Yuri for a few seconds, understanding flooding in his mind. Yuri, the boy with the over-attachment towards his sister. He already got married and he hasn’t worked that out yet? His wife must be more of a saint than he had given her credit for.

He laughed. 'You know, before I found my wife, my mom was the most important person in my life. My dad was always too cold, too critical, but she always stood up for me. Always paid for anything I needed, never judged me. But then, she got sick...'

Yuri’s eyes shone with familiarity. He looked at his coworker now, finally, full attention on him. He continued.

'I didn’t date seriously. I couldn’t really focus on anyone other than her and her health. My dad didn’t help, and it felt like it was only ever just going to be me and her in my childhood home. But then, my wife and I bumped into each other during a check up. And… we just couldn’t stop meeting.'

He sighed and smiled as he twirled a fork.

'I felt so guilty for going on dates while my mom was in bed-rest, but… she kept telling me to go. She kept pushing me towards her. Because she wanted me to be happy. She wanted to see me make my own family… before...'

Yuri’s heart twisted in pain, an expression that didn’t go unnoticed. The big man reached over and patted his shoulder. 'She was in our wedding. She loved my wife. And she managed to stick around long enough to see her granddaughter, too.' He blinked back the beginnings of tears and cleared his throat. Then, he leaned in closer, his words warm and comforting.

'Look, Yuri. Your sister is married isn’t she? She has a family already looking out for her. She’s got all the help she could need, and if not, she can always call you for a little more, right? I’m not saying you have to stop loving her, she is still your sister, but you have to think about your own future, too. Your own family. I’m sure she wants you to have one, too.'

Yuri thought about how true that was. His eyes glazed over as he was trying to fight back tears. It felt like he was letting go of her, it felt wrong and sacrilegious but… it wasn’t. This was natural, wasn’t it? It hurt but he knew,

He loved you.

He loved you so much.

And he is allowed to.

His coworker started patting his shoulder again, consoling.

'There there. You are young. I know you’re still figuring things out… but you are also very lucky. You have something good, you know? A really good wife. Don’t make her worry, don’t take her for granted, and you have to put effort into showing that she is as important to you as you are to her. Or else…'

His hand stopped moving suddenly, placed at the base of Yuri’s neck and his voice dropped an octave.

'I do have an unmarried brother-in-law, you know.'

The threat was light but something in his eyes was serious. Yuri froze as his veins turned into ice. The audacity of him to threaten taking you away. He glared at his coworker and, for the first time, sized him up. He was experienced, bigger, stronger. There was no way to beat him in a fair fight, but if push came to shove-

The man released another loud laugh and shoved Yuri, playfully.

'Woah, a genuine killer look from you! Look at that! And all because I was trying to give you a little push?'

His tone became serious again, but lost its edge.

'Seems to me like you love her a lot if you want to keep her to the point of fighting me.'

Yuri’s hackles lowered just a bit as his face slightly flushed from embarrassment at being read so easily. He huffed like a kid.

'Joking about taking someone’s wife isn’t wise.'

'We both know it wasn’t a joke. But it doesn’t matter anyways, right? Because you’ll take this lesson to heart and appreciate your wife?'

'Tch.'

Yuri hated the man in front of him, scolded himself for ever letting his guard drop around him. But… he had to give him credit.

The talk was very helpful.

The night breeze kicked in and made both men get up from their chairs, tucking them in to leave.

Before they separated, Yuri managed to keep his manners and muttered.

'Thanks, Monroe.'

He got a thumbs up in return.

~

You folded your laundry and looked out the open window at the clear autumn sky. It was another nice day. The sun was bright, falling leaves rustled and the sound of passerbyers were a nice, low hum.

You took a deep breath and tried to smile, but... It still didn’t feel right.

You finished the fold and buried your head in the soft sweater, groaning.

Today, Yuri would be back to coming home at regular hours. Today, you had to face him again after avoiding him ever since the book signing event.

You messed up some of your laundry work as you laid on your back and rolled around, whining, face still buried in your sweater. Why, why, why?

Everything had been going so well! Everyone was so supportive! Yor took the time to stay with you all day! And Yuri had rushed over to see you, been the hero that you always wished you had, been so affectionate and congratulatory and… and then…

You got jealous? Just because he went to check up on his sister? That wasn’t even creepy, it was something normal siblings do!

You sounded so pathetic to yourself, but the truth of it was. Even if he had rushed over to be with her instead of you, this wasn’t anything new.

You always knew.

Always knew your place would be second to her.

It was unreasonable to expect change just because he had finally come around to accepting you more… and it didn’t mean he cared any less! He still did… so much for you. He still said he loved you… but…

It wasn’t enough.

You got up and caterwauled at your stupid entitlement. The gall of you to want more after Yuri gave up his freedom to marry you. To keep you here.

You finally pulled yourself back up and looked around at the mess you made, feeling nothing about it. You just focused on the pit in your stomach getting heavier the closer it got to him coming home.

Your hands mechanically returned to refolding. You were going to greet him with dinner already made. You were going to smile. If he asked, you would apologize for avoiding him these last few days. Come up with an excuse that you thought he needed space with how tired he’s been. You’d bear anything he threw your way. Be it insults or affection. You had to.

It’s your job to control your emotions. Not his.

You had to keep smothering your expectations for anything more than platonic, or else…

Or else you had to leave.

~

Yuri shifted as he braced himself to open the door. He was excited, nervous, and scared, a cocktail that made his cheeks red and his stomach churn in a way that made him want to throw up.

His hand shook but he couldn’t seem to reach for the doorknob. He knew that you were waiting on the other side.

After the big talk with Monroe, Yuri had done a lot of retrospection and planning in order to get you to feel loved.

He wanted to shower you with attention; wanted a tsunami to come hit you directly and drown you in so much warmth that you’d never ever consider leaving him for anyone else like whoever the hell Monroe’s brother-in-law was.

It still pissed him off how he sneakily has been waiting, wanting to snatch you away the moment Yuri messed up.

And speaking of coworkers. He always hated yours for the way they treated you, but now they also had the nerve to be making eyes at you? Knowing you were TAKEN? He knew them all by name and could pull up so much shit to get them demoted once and for all. Fired. Never allowed in the building again. It’d be for the better. Maybe once every shitty man left the office, you’d get people that actually valued you. People who knew how to behave and knew better to keep their hands to themselves-

He could feel the knob turning under his hand, and it snapped him out of his jealous fantasy. Shit, he still wasn’t mentally ready-

The door opened and there you were, surprised to see him standing there-

With a bouquet of roses.

'O-Oh, um… Yuri?' You didn’t know what to say first, your heart racing as you looked at the flowers and at his flushed, embarrassed face. 'How long… have you been standing there?'

Yuri trembled, unable to escape your eyes with his feet rooted deeply in place. He tried to respond, but his voice cracked and he had to cough. Finally, he timidly moved the bouquet over to you and handed it over.

'… got these…'

You blinked, still finding this unbelievable and you just held them, looking back and forth between them and him.

'… for me?'

Such a stupid question, but he was too stupid too to say anything about it.

'… I never got to congratulate you… and…'

And there was more. More he wanted to say with them, more he wanted to get through to you, but his sentence died down when you both heard a gasp from behind.

Yor was standing, multiple grocery bags in hands as she covered her mouth and took in the scene.

FUUUUUUUUCK!!!!!!

Both of you internally screamed the same curse as the worst person possible had to show up.

Sensing something off, Yor misread your expressions for shame at being caught in such an intimate moment, and quickly apologized.

'AH! SORRY! I WAS NEVER HERE! I’M GONE! GOODBYE!!'

She sprinted to her door, turning around to give one last peek before shutting it and locking it behind her.

Time was still frozen as the moment felt like it had passed. You looked at Yuri and saw his panicked expression. Like a husband getting caught with a mistress.

Remember your place.

Yuri worried as he turned and saw you looking back at him. You were trying to read each other’s emotions but as soon as your eyes met, your expression became guarded again and you were the first to break the spell.

Your fake smile was plastered back on as you stepped aside.

'Thank you for the flowers… now are you going to come in? The food is getting cold… and it’s your favorite…'

Yuri’s instincts blared like a siren. No no no, wrong wrong WRONG! This wasn’t how it was supposed to go!!!

Yuri stumbled inside and tried reaching out for you, but you were too preoccupied with trying to find things to do so your mind would stop thinking about your pettiness.

'Ah- I should probably put these in a vase…' You turned and raced out of there, to the kitchen, leaving Yuri looking like a fish, mouthing apologies and explanations that he couldn’t actually say.

You pulled out a glass vase from the very back of your cupboard and a knife from the block you kept them in. You got to work with preparing the flower stems.

As you did so, an unwanted memory flickered of the day you met Yuri. And the giant bouquet of roses he had brought for Yor that day. Dark aura spilled from you at the realization.

Was he seriously reusing gift ideas he used on his SISTER? Anger took over.

From across the room, Yuri had finally put up his jacket and taken his tie off. He was trying to figure out how to salvage the mood when he heard your chopping becoming steadily more aggressive.

CHOP. CHOP. CHOP. CHOP.

Wasn’t that too many?

He turned around and the expression you were making was one he’d never seen before. His gut twisted again. He darted towards you and saw the newly minced flowers on the cutting board. He screamed.

'WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? STOP!'

'I’M JUST PREPARING THEM FOR THE VASE, YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO CHOP THE STEMS AT AN ANGLE.'

'WHAT STEM? THERE’S NOTHING LEFT!!'

He took your hands and you both struggled as he tried to pry the knife away.

'WHAT THE HELL? I GOT YOU THOSE FLOWERS AS A GIFT!! IF YOU DIDN’T LIKE THEM AT LEAST TELL ME BEFORE YOU KILL THEM!!'

'OH NOOOO, I LOVE THEM! THEY’RE JUST LIKE THE ONES YOU TRIED BRINGING YOR, REMEMBER? WHAT A GOOD DAY THAT WAS, THE FIRST DAY YOU EVER BOTHERED ME. AND LOOK AT US NOW!'

'WHAT? WHAT ARE YOU..-'

Yuri paused long enough for you to manage to elbow him away as he registered his mistake. The day you met. The roses. Yor. He had been wanting to put off talking about his changing relationships with the both of you until later this week, but it was clear how dire this was. Instead of handling it calmly, he got defensive.

'ROSES ARE ROSES! WHAT’S WRONG WITH THEM? YOU LOOKED HAPPY WHEN I HANDED THEM TO YOU!'

'THAT WAS BEFORE I REALIZED HOW LAAAAZY YOU ARE AT GIFT-GIVING. I KNOW YOU’RE STARTING TO TREAT ME LIKE FAMILY BUT CAN YOU NOT GIVE ME THE SAME THINGS YOU GAVE HER? OR DO YOU EXPECT ME TO ACT THE SAME AS HER TOO?'

Fuck.

You said the petty thing.

You put down the knife and hid your face with a hand.

Yuri’s heart sank and he took a step closer, but you extended your free hand to stop him.

'I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be behaving like this. I know I’m being… ridiculous. I just… why roses? Why did you have to bring me the same thing? I’ve been trying to accept my place in your life but… are you really just going to treat me as a copy of your sister?'

Yuri’s heart sank and he wilted. He felt desperate.

'NO! Why would I? You’re not my sister! You’re my WIFE!'

He took the hand you held out. 'I love YOU, remember? I love you, Y/N! You’re more than just my family now, I- I chose you!'

He kissed your hand and it was like electricity shocked your skin. You peeked between your fingers and saw that it was real. Yuri held your hand to his face and looked at you with earnest eyes as he continued to talk.

'I chose the roses… because they’re supposed to be romantic, aren’t they? They weren’t just to congratulate you, I… I missed you and I was so excited to see you and get to talk to you again… to go on proper dates... but… maybe I should have picked something else. I’m sorry.'

Your heart leapt. You weren’t imagining this. This wasn’t a misunderstanding.

Romantic.

You dropped your hands and attacked him with a hug, still crying from the overwhelming emotions.

'I am SO. DUMB!!!'

Yuri furrowed his brows and held you, shaking his head.

'No, stop! You’re not. I know my whole… situation with my sister has been weird, I should’ve-'

You shook your head hard and talked over him.

'WHEN WE WERE DRUNK, I THOUGHT YOU TOLD ME ‘I LOVE YOU’ IN THE WAY THAT FAMILY WOULD.'

Yuri stopped now and within a few seconds, started gripping you a little tighter.

'What. Do you mean. You took my confession like that?'

You winced as his hold got tighter, but you answered him honestly.

'I- I couldn’t believe that you’d like me back a-and when I was talking to Yor, she said you were treating me just like how you treated her and-'

'YOU THINK I EVER GOT THAT LOVEY-DOVEY WITH HER?'

'ARE YOU KIDDING ME? YOU’RE DEFINITELY ONE TO TAKE THINGS OVER THE LINE WITH YOUR SISTER!!'

'NOT THAT FAR!!! YOU KNOW WHAT, MAYBE YOU ARE STUPID! STUPID FOR LEADING ME ON AND FOR NEVER DOUBLE CHECKING OUR STATUS AFTER THAT NIGHT. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I’VE BEEN TRYING TO PROGRESS THINGS WITH YOU SINCE THEN? HOW HAPPY THINKING THAT YOU RECIPROCATED MADE ME? BELIEVING THAT I WAS IN MY FIRST REAL RELATIONSHIP AND IT WAS THE WOMAN I ALREADY MARRIED? UGH-'

You opened your mouth to argue back but his hands were around your head now, making you look him in the eyes. They were dead serious.

'Y/N, I love you.'

Your face quickly flushed and tried to look away.

'I-I know that now!'

He shook his head and moved it closer to yours, trying to get you to look at him again.

'Y/N. I. Love. You.'

'I KNOW!! CAN YOU P-PLEASE-'

He scoffed and pressed his forehead right on yours, his teeth gritting.

'Y/N!!'

'WHAT?! WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT? I LOVE YOU TOO, OKAY? I’VE HAD A CRUSH ON YOU THE LONGEST AND I WAS TERRIFIED THAT YOU’D NEVER SEE ME THE SAME WAY AND I- I’D JUST HAVE TO KEEP BEING OKAY WITH...'

You shut your eyes. You trembled. It was too much. Too much honesty, too much openness. Yuri’s hands relaxed and you could feel his breath stutter out in… relief? Joy?

You whimpered, risking opening one eye to see his expression.

His lips were on yours before you could.

The kiss was short but it was passionate. He poured every ounce of frustration over every pain he had to go through maturing to be with you.

And even then, it wasn’t enough. He let go so you could both breathe, but he looked at you and kept going, going too fast, giving too much, being too eager, leaving you both still gasping and having to shift your weight with the counter propping you both up.

Finally he let go of you to catch you both before you slipped more, hands on either side of you, and he laughed as he tried to catch up with his heart-rate.

'Y/N, I love you…'

'I love you too, Yuri…'

Your faces were still close and you couldn’t escape the way he was looking at you.

'I can’t believe we’re already married…'

It was your turn to laugh. 'Me neither… looks like I was worth keeping around in the end, huh?'

He grinned, feeling so blissful. You were smiling for real again.

He kissed you one more time and looked at you as your noses touched.

'Yeah… I’m so happy that you’re here.'

~

The chill of winter’s beginnings rewarded you with a sneeze as you settled on a bench at the park. Yuri tutted next to you and rearranged your scarf to be tighter.

‘I swear to god, if you get sick and leave me to tend to those brats alone…”

You laughed but enjoyed his attention as he also inspected the rest of your clothes. “You’re still calling them that? They love you now!”

Yuri sniffed, “I never asked them to… and they’re still annoying!”

Despite his tone, his cheeks were tinted pink. He looked back at the boys playing with Anya with less of a grimace than before.

You also gazed at the children. You always worried whether or not if they’d get along with one another, but now, you felt silly for holding their meeting back for so long.

Your brothers took to their roles as Anya’s protectors immediately. They were very excited about being older than someone in the family, and wasted no time already trying to pick her up, coddle, and boss her around. Anya had seemed annoyed at first but in the time it took to walk all the way here, she had quickly gotten a grasp on how to deal with them both. She was so smart.

Currently, the boys were trying to prove to her that twins DID have telepathy powers, but she was becoming increasingly unimpressed. It made you smile.

Yuri sneakily held your hand and squeezed it. You squeezed back and gave him your attention again.

“I’m sorry, dear. I know you were looking forward to a weekend with just us…”

Yuri grumbled. “It’s like your parents knew we had plans and this is the only way they can get back at us for being happy…”

You snorted, but returned to consoling.

‘… still, thank you for agreeing. I’ll make it up to you…”

You rested against his side then and cuddled up to him. You felt his body shudder under yours.

“Yeah, well… I suppose babysitting duty isn’t so bad when you’re here, too.”

He lifted his arm to wrap around you, keeping you closer, and you both dipped your heads into a kiss. It had only been a week that you’ve been officially together, but you both had become truly inseparable. Now that the dam was broken, there had been a whirlwind of touches and kisses and other forms of physical affection exchanged in such a short amount of time.

You smiled against his lips as you separated, this was the first time you had kissed in public. He smiled back, though it felt a little dangerous in a way that made your heart race. Your heart-shaped bubble was quickly burst by the three onlookers you had forgotten about.

“NO WAY!!!”

“EWWWWW!!!”

“SINCE WHEN DO YOU TWO KISS??!”

You turned around and had to face the children’s expressions of disbelief. Suddenly, your brothers’ goodwill turned on its head as fast as it had come and both of them ran over to yank Yuri off of the bench.

“HOW DARE YOU! GET OFF OF HER!!!”

“YOU’RE NOT ALLOWED TO SIT TOGETHER ANYMORE!”

Yuri screamed back indignantly.

“WHAT? WHAT!!! I’M NOT DOING ANYTHING WRONG! I LOVE HER, YOU LITTLE SHITS!!! DIDN’T YOU BOTH SAY-”

“THAT WAS BEFORE WE HAD TO SEE THAT!!!”

“YEAH, HAVE SOME SENSIBIFULTY!”

“Sensibility…”

“Oh…. HAVE THAT!!!”

“YOUCH-!!! I KNEW YOU WOULD TURN ON ME!!!”

You had to rush over to pry Kris away as he tried to take a bite out of Yuri’s leg.

Anya stayed standing, away from the commotion, and stared with giant eyes.

After all that. All the fighting and nagging and clashing over your fake marriage.

How?

How did it end up this way?

With him? Yuri??

The shock of it all made Anya’s head spin and she fell to the floor. Everyone paused as her body hit the grass, and priorities quickly shifted to rush to her side.

~

It had taken a while to get the kids to calm down. After you got home and returned Anya with her parents, the boys demanded to challenge Yuri for the right to be affectionate with you in public.

They had a lot of energy to burn, and Yuri was not one to back down. From paper-rock-scissors to hot dog eating, to poetry and thumb-wars, the contests lasted all day until eventually, the twins had to concede with gritted teeth that, indeed, Yuri seemed to be… cool.

You were busy washing and putting away dishes with Charles’s help as the other two were left on the couch, TV on and unable to look at each other.

With sleepy eyes, Kris muttered, “… I can actually see that… you really do love my sister, now.”

“Damn right, kid.” Yuri rubbed his eye and yawned. Kris mirrored the older man and grumbled.

“… thank you.”

Yuri tilted his head to glance at the boy, but quickly looked away again. A hand ended up landing on Kris’s head and Yuri grunted.

“You worry too much for a kid…”

The moment was brief but not unpleasant. IT was broken when you announced that it was time for bed.

The twins rushed to brush their teeth, then you tucked them in on the guestroom bed. You walked out with a blanket, and saw that Yuri was already laying on the couch, prepared to sleep there as the kids took his room. An action film flickered across his skin.

“… you gonna tuck me in, too?” Yuri joked as he turned to lay on his stomach and smiled. You hesitated, but bent down as you tucked hair behind your ear.

“Actually…”

“...?”

You hugged the blanket close as you squatted, obscuring half of your face and you whispered.

“Wanna share my room tonight…?”

Through the faint grey glow of the TV, you could still see Yuri’s blush.

~

A dream… it’s like a dream…

You both glided, footsteps soft as you guided him into your room and shut the door behind him. You nervously put away the blanket and hovered over your bed.

“Well… what side do you want?”

Yuri didn’t care. After just looking at each other with timid eyes, you sighed and settled into bed first. He nervously turned off the light and hobbled to climb the open spot left.

This… wasn’t the first time you had both shared a bed but… you were both sober now. And despite the sleepiness from before, Yuri’s nerves were on end and his blood felt like coffee as he stared at your familiar ceiling. He couldn’t settle down, he was too cognizant of you… and your body… so close.

You weren’t faring any better as your heart felt like it was going to jump out at any moment. You gave up trying to calm down and slowly turned to continue your braveness of the night, edging closer to him… at the same time he did.

You were both now wide-eyed and inches away from the other.

He could see the curve of your lips through the light in a crack in your curtains, and it drove him mad.

He completely shifted his body, now unafraid, as he wrapped his arms around you and pulled you close to his chest.

“Y/N…”

You shivered and breathed him in.

“Yuri…”

You dared to look up and both your noses touched. He bit his lip, you could tell where he was staring. You took the lead from there and moved up to kiss him, wrapping your arms around his neck.

He melted into you and followed your lead with hungry eagerness. The kiss was fast to open up, he whined as he felt your tongue and suddenly, he had no idea where to put his hands anymore. They trickled down your back, circling around your waist before he allowed himself to land them on your hips. You let go of the kiss to catch your breath and laughed at how nervous you both were.

Yuri seemed to be under the impression that it was solely directed at him. He sounded so embarassed.

‘… Fuck, Y/N… don’t laugh at me…”

“I’m not..!”

You wanted to reassure him, you moved your arms to hold his shoulders but he shrugged them away as he got up… and now he was over you. Pinning you with a look that was equal parts pouting and… greedy.

‘It’s not fair… You don’t know how much I’m holding back… trying to be good.’

Your legs shook underneath him.

‘Y-Yuri…’

Your face was definitely giving it away because he noticed the shift in mood and he leaned in closer to ghost your lips again.

‘I wanted to take things slow… take my time exploring you...” He pecked your lips, moving them down to your cheek, your neck… and lower.

You whimpered as he nibbled against your clothing and looked at you through lidded eyes while one of his hands tugged at it lightly, wanting to take it off.

‘… Do you want to start tonight?’

From this moment, till the day you both die…

He was going to give you all the reasons to stay with him.

~

IT’S OVER. IT’S FINALLY OVER.

MAN, rereading my fanfic makes me cringe oTL The first chapter is just thoughts held together with glue and a prayer. How did I get so many of you to keep reading? Thank you SO MUCH for all your continued support over the years!!!

UUUGH, I was saving the conflict between Y/N feeling second to Yor for a jealous childhood best friend Y/N fic idea I had in the past but I struggled to come up with more things for this one so I had to use it somewhat. This is definitely not as deep as I would have explored it with the childhood friend idea, but stiiiill… I hope I did this justice.

I hope I could make you all smile.

(To the few people that care, Kris gets given an assignment to write about what he wants to be when he grows up and he basically admits he wants to be Yuri. He hides it from his dad but his mom finds out and immediately calls you to tell you about it. And of course, you tell Yuri.

The two still bicker but the kid has really wormed his way into being Yuri’s favorite of the twerps.)

Thanks again for following me through hell. I don’t know if I’ll see any of yall pop in my comments, asks or feed again but, it’s been a pleasure to be thought of so fondly by you all.

(Forgot to give a shoutout to Mari, my friend who let me read all of this final chapter out loud to her to check for mistakes and to see if things were okay. WOOT)

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