It was cold in Russia. Colder than anywhere else Hinata had traveled to. He hadn't even come for a competition. No, he came to surprise Yuri in his home town. And, maybe his parents had also been called to commentate on a competition for charity, an offer they just couldn't refuse. Maybe.

He knocked on the door, and it was opened by a large man. His gaze softened as it fell on him.

"Ah, Shouyou. It's been a long time. Войдите, Yuri will be glad to see you again."

It wasn't his first time meeting Yuri's grandfather. He had seen and talked with him at many of Yuri's competitions in Russia. They had grown close enough that Hinata knew how to contact him if ever he wanted to surprise Yuri like this.

He was staying at his grandfather's this week, and it was perfect for Hinata's purposes.

"Спасибо." He replied. His accent wasn't perfect by any means, but he was trying.

He went to find Yuri and found him laying on the couch.

"I had no idea you were such a mooch, Yurio. Still living at your grandfather's."

Yuri jumped up from the couch, the sudden recognizable voice startling him.

"Nice to see you too, солнышко. And, I'm not a mooch. I'm just staying here for the week to visit. Although, I assume you knew that." He eyed his grandfather as he said the last part.

"Hey, blame папа, he's ingrained surprises into my brain."

---

It was a long explanation about Hinata's life story, which they all listened intently to. Their harsh glances seemed to soften as he continued and they learned why he had left and decided to keep it a secret.

They knew everything and Hinata suddenly realized that they may never trust him again, even if he won and got to stay with them. Maybe he could run away again. Run away from everyone.

As he walked back to the dorm with Kageyama, the taller boy seemed to read his mind.

"You're going to win this, and you're going to stay on the team. They all trust you. They understand why you hid it from them."

Hinata stopped and stared. It was so unlike Kageyama to speak this way. Suddenly, the boy stopped as well and turned around to look at him. The look in his eyes was enough to speak volumes, but the words left his mouth anyway.

"You have to win. You have to win so you can stay with me. So I can be your setter."

Hinata's face grew red at the words, and Kageyama's followed soon after as he realized what he had said.

"I mean, um, the whole team needs you. We would all miss you." His face just grew more and more scarlet with each word.

"I'd miss you too, Kageyama." It was barely above a whisper. "Cheer for me."

"What?" Kageyama wasn't sure he'd heard correctly.

"It's in a few days, and word travels fast in small cities like this. Especially with the triplets spreading the news. There will most likely be a crowd, so I want you to cheer for me. Even if you're the only one cheering for me, I think it will be enough." It was Hinata's turn to become crimson, and Kageyama found that the color fit him well.

"Red looks good on you." His voice was smoother than he thought it could be with how dry his throat was, but he was thankful for it, since it caused Hinata's eyes to widen.

"Um, I, uh, we should get to bed. Practice tomorrow." He ran off without waiting for a response.

"Yeah, practice."

The next day went better than Hinata expected. There had been a few wayward questions about his past, but other than that, it was actually pretty tame.

Nishinoya, being the ever-curious being he was, had asked Hinata just how far he could stretch. Asahi quickly tried to stop him and apologize for being rude, but Hinata assured he wasn't bothered.

He dropped into side splits and leaned forward until his face was about to touch the ground.

Needless to say, Noya was very happy (and maybe a little weirded out) that Hinata most likely had the ability to fold himself into a human pretzel. He stored that information away for later.

During their games, he played the same. Even if skating had helped his leg power, not too much else was involved. Practice seemed to go by quickly, and nobody asked any questions after about halfway through.

Once, when the other team had scored a point because he couldn't receive it properly, the curse had just slipped out.

"Хуй тебе."

Lev had immediately started laughing on the other court, while his team just looked at him in confusion.

"Nevermind," He brushed them off, not wanting to admit he had cursed out the other team.

After practice, Hinata left immediately. He had to practice his program if he wanted any chance of winning and staying with his team.

"Oh, Shouyou, good to see you again." It was the man on the bridge. "Your fathers told me to tell you when they were up there. I think they're looking forward to seeing you again."

Hinata stopped at the words. He knew he'd have to face them at some point. They would be at the competition after all. He couldn't avoid them forever. After a deep breath, he continued along the bridge until he came upon the rink.

He could do this.

It would be embarrassing if he cried, so he'd have to avoid that.

That thought was immediately disregarded as he entered the Ice Castle. His fathers stood there at the front desk, somber looks on both their faces. He couldn't help himself as the tears fell down his face.

"Огонь." Viktor had seen him.

Next thing he knew, he was being engulfed in a hug, two pairs of arms wrapped around his small frame.

"Oh, Shou-chan. We're so sorry for whatever we did." Yuuri was desperately trying not to cry, himself, but the tears streamed down his face, and he couldn't seem to help it.

"Dad, папа. I missed you both so much. I'm so sorry for leaving." His words were muffled by their chests and his own tears.

And they stayed like that, in the middle of the lobby of the closed Ice Castle of Hasetsu.

---

TRANSLATIONS

Войдите = come in

Спасибо = thank you

солнышко = sunshine

Хуй тебе = fuck you

Огонь = fire/light

папа = papa