The Unexpected

Chapter 4

March 4th, 2025

Yurio's POV 1st Person

I hesitate, Victor and Yuuri have joined us at this point, and Yuuri shakes his head, letting me know that I don't have to do this. The only thing is, I want to. Maybe Otabek was right, I don't know, but after being on the ice for only two hours I feel like I'm dying, and the prospect of another five makes me feel light-headed. If I go, I'm free and all I have to do is look after Maria all day, but then again, I fought so hard to get to come in the first place if I wimp out and go is that telling Otabek that I'm still too sick to be here? I'm obviously thinking hard while considering this because Maria looks disappointed and mumbles, "That's okay Uncle Yurio thanks anyway," Hearing her sad little voice makes all the doubt in my mind fly away. For better or for worse.

"I can do it," I say, and Maria looks up, eyes wide, 

"Really!" She's so excited I can't help but smile back at her, 

"Yup, I'll be right back, I just have to tell your Uncle Otabear something," She nods and bounces up and down with excitement, we always have a great time together. 

"Yurio hold on," Yuuri stops me and says quietly, "It's okay, you don't have to do this, the neighbor's home so I can call her. I know how eager you are to get back to practice," I look away,

"It's fine," I say simply, and skate away across the rink to find my husband. He's seated in the hockey box drinking some water as I approach, 

"What's up?" He asks immediately, "Do you feel okay?" 

"I'm fine," I lie, "Victor and Yuuri need a babysitter and can't find anyone else so they asked me. And you know I can't say no to Maria," I say with a shrug, "Do you mind?" 

"No, have fun," He smiles slightly at what I know is the mental image of me wearing the tiara, "I'll see you at home," I nod, and kiss him briefly,

"See you at home," 

I remove my skates and change out of my workout clothes quickly, putting on the normal set I keep in my locker just in case. As I leave the locker room with my bag slung over my shoulder I'm tackled from behind and fall forward, the impact surprisingly jarring. "Hey Maria," I say laughing as the little girl comes up before me, 

"Sorry!" She exclaims, "I didn't think you would fall," She looks worried about me and I gather myself up quickly, giving her a hug, 

"It's okay, I'm fine, see?" I hold out my arms for her to check and she seems satisfied, nodding and reaching out her small hand to help me up. I take it, pretending to tug and rise to my feet. Maria waves goodbye to her dads as we leave the building, walking out into the cold March air. I unlock Victor's car, having come with Otabek on his bike, and help buckle Maria in, who says she did it right but I check just in case. On the drive back my thoughts take off on their own, chartering course for god knows where. I'm so wrapped up in myself I almost miss the house, Maria having to point it out before I can make a quick U-turn into the driveway. "Don't tell your parents!" I warn her as we walk in and she smiles, zipping her lips shut and throwing away the key. 

The second the door closes behind us Maria takes my hand and darts upstairs, pulling me behind her. I smile at her excitement, about to sit down for one of our infamous tea parties, but quickly that smile turns into a frown. 

"Uncle Yurio?" Maria asks, noticing my face, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I say quickly, but find myself proven wrong almost at once, the nausea hitting me like a tidal wave. I make it to the bathroom just in time, choking and retching into the toilet as a scared Maria stands behind me, watching anxiously,