Victor anxiously held Yuki to his chest as more people filled the plane seats, Yuki snuggled closer to his father and whimpered. "I know it's a little stuffy, but it'll be over soon," Victor reassured his son and gave him a soft kiss on his forehead.

Victor was pretty afraid since it was Yuki's first time on a plane he didn't know if the takeoff would hurt his ears or make him sick. He held Yuki close as if to protect him from the harm and hummed a quiet tune in an attempt to calm his son down a little, Yuki grasped onto Victor's shirt with his head resting against his chest. Yuki always enjoyed sleeping with the reassuring and calming sound of his father's heartbeat, and the warmth he gave off too was absolutely comfortable.

Victor looked down at his son with a soft smile on his hidden face. He once again had to hide his face, of course, he could've bought a first class ticket with much less commotion and empty seats, but that would put Yuki at risk at being exposed to the public. Victor was still pretty famous around the world still known as the greatest ice skater, but he was also known as the man who lost his husband who was also a famous ice skater. They were always known as the pair who could never be separated, guess it was just a rumor...

Victor sighed and grew tense when a flight attendant discussed the rules and safety precautions, and then announced that the plane would soon take off. Victor pressed Yuki tight against his chest, but not too tight just enough so that he would feel safe and comfortable as the plane took off. Victor fastened his seatbelt and anxiously waited, he took a breath and kissed the top of his son's head. "Papa is here Yuki, I'll protect you from any harm." He whispered to him with a soft smile.

As soon as the plane began to move Victor paid close attention to his son who didn't seem fazed by the movement, that was until the plane rose from the ground and the plane shook slightly as it rose higher and higher until it settled down and flew at a steady pace. Yuki whimpered and looked a bit sick, probably due to all the shaking, Victor frowned and looked through Yuki's bag searching for his pacifier.

It would take a long while for them to get to where they were headed so a little nap didn't sound all that bad to Victor, he gave Yuki his pacifier and leaned back against his seat stroking Yuki's soft hair, it calmed him down most of the time. And knowing that his son was with him safe and sound tucked comfortably in his arms was enough to ease him from his worries. Yuki dozed off and was lulled to sleep by his father's heartbeat, and Victor fell asleep afterward comforted by his son's warmth and silky hair.

Victor was awoken possibly hours later by his son's cries, they were surprisingly quiet though, when he looked out the window the sky was dark and filled with thick clouds. Yuki was bundled up in his blanket still tucked in Victor's arms, but his face was flushed red and his pacifier lied on his tummy, Victor stood quickly. The people who were sleeping got annoyed at the infant's cries and groaned, Victor, looked down and tried to soothe his son as he rushed to the bathroom taking Yuki's bag with him.

The bathroom was small, but still roomy enough for Victor to check Yuki's diaper which surprisingly wasn't soiled or anything, he fully unwrapped Yuki from the blanket and rocked him back and forth. "What's wrong my love?" He asked worriedly. Yuki's cries quieted down to soft whimpers, his face was still flushed and Victor instantly grew worried.

He checked Yuki's forehead and flinched when he came in contact with the extremely warm skin, Yuki was running a temperature. Possibly a fever, and knowing that his son was sick made Victor tremble in fear. "It's okay Yuki, we're almost there and when we get there I'm sure g-grandma will help you." He spoke with a stutter in his voice, he tried hard to hide his fear.

He got out of the now suffocating bathroom and returned to his seat he held Yuki close to him and fanned him with a booklet that was tucked in between the seats, Yuki continued to whimper though but still managed to somehow fall asleep even with all the uncomfortable heat. Victor looked through Yuki's bag and sighed in relief when he found the baby wipes, he grabbed a few and gently wiped down Yuki's arms in an attempt to cool him down.

Yuki barely moved an inch as he slept, he was exhausted and very weak his body needed lots of rest, but his fever was still there. He was just too small to tackle the sickness on his own, and Victor knew that. And even though his arms grew tired he willed himself to keep going for Yuki's sake, he was definitely going to do anything that would help his son even if it meant him getting hurt in the process it really didn't matter. Just as long as his son was okay then it'd all be worth it.

A couple of more hours passed Victor was even able to see the sunrise but had to pull down the shutter so that Yuki wouldn't wake. He had slept throughout the whole trip and Victor stayed up comforting him and cooling him down little by little so that it was just a little bit more manageable for him to sleep well. And by the end of it he fully succeeded, he sighed longingly and let his arms rest, though he still had to use one arm to hold Yuki.

They had finally arrived at their destination Victor waited for the plane to empty out before he himself exited, he slung Yuki's bag over his shoulder and winced when his sudden movement made Yuki stir from his sleep, Victor shushed him and rocked him back and forth. Yuki looked around with his eyes half-lidded before letting his eyelids drop again and drifted back to sleep snuggling closer against his father's chest.

Victor released the breath he held in and cautiously got out the plane, the airport was horrible. Many people bumped into him and didn't even bother to apologize, one man even shoved him so hard Yuki awoke with a yelp, Victor gritted his teeth wanting to tell the man off or even fight him, but with his son at risk he let it pass with utter reluctance. Yuki's lip trembled as he took notice of the pain his father was in, Victor bit his lip as he stomped toward the luggage retrieval area.

His shoulder ached in pain. He realized how weak he had gotten. As soon as Victor spotted his and Yuki's luggage he grabbed them and headed toward the exit fishing for his phone in his jacket, it was nearly impossible since he was holding Yuki but he managed to do so and retrieved his phone. He smiled in relief and called a number he never knew he would call.

Minutes later after the call a car pulled up at the entrance and the woman in the driver's seat waved frantically and climbed out the car, Victor quickly recognized the woman's tall stature and long brown hair. "Minako I'm glad to see you." He smiled and dragged his luggage behind him. "I'm glad to see you too, and Yuki has grown quite a lot." She cooed at the baby in Victor's arms. "Here let me help you with that." She took the luggage from Victor's hands and stuffed them in the trunk of her car.

She huffed. "I set up the car seat in the backseat for Yuki." She stated and slammed the door of the trunk. "Thank you." Victor sighed and opened the door to the backseat, he sat Yuki down in the seat and buckled him in. "You'll get better soon I promise." He kissed the top of his warm head and placed the bag beside the car seat before climbing out.

Minako climbed back in the driver's seat and waited for Victor to enter, Victor took a breathtaking in the familiar surroundings and let his scarf slip off his face, he removed the annoying sunglasses and climbed in the car sitting beside Minako who drove as soon as Victor was buckled in. "So, how have you been?" Minako asked. "I've been well, but Yuki is a bit sick at the moment so I'm a bit worried," Victor answered with a frown.

Minako patted Victor's shoulder with her free hand still keeping her gaze on the road ahead and gave a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, you came to the right place." She stated. "When the triplets were just babies they had gotten a cold, they had bad fevers too." As Minako spoke Victor removed the rest of the clothing that covered his face. "Yuki has a pretty bad fever." He mumbled anxiously. "You don't have to worry, Hiroko helped the triplets get better. And after a day they were bright and bubbly, and extremely hyper." Minako giggled.

Victor sighed in relief happy that Yuki would get help and soon feel better again. "I'm so glad." He tugged off the suffocating scarf and gripped onto the large hat pulling it off his head. "You look pretty worn," Minako muttered. "It was a long plane ride." Victor pouted and crossed his arms. "Ha ha sure." She joked and rolled her eyes.

Victor huffed and turned back to check on Yuki only to see that he was sleeping soundly in the seat, Victor glumly smiled at the sight. "Ah..." Minako caught his attention and Victor turned back. "So we have some news." She stated nervously. "What is it?" Victor asked curiously. "W-well you know how you left Makkachin here?" Victor's heart clenched.

He had left Makkachin with Hiroko since she grew so attached with the pup, it was hard at first but Victor came to realize that it made both Hiroko and Makkachin happy. And he never regretted it, he knew how lonely Hiroko was after Yuuri disappeared.

He swallowed the lump in his throat. "Yes." He whispered. "Well, congratulations! Makkachin is a father!" She grimaced but kept on a smile. Victor froze, deadpanned. There was a long moment of silence until Victor finally broke it. "I'm...a grandpa?" His heart raced, how long had he been gone!?

Minako chuckled and scratched the back of her head. "Y-yes? Sorta." She shrugged. "Though we had to give some puppies away, many people wanted to adopt them. And the mother was taken so Makkachin couldn't raise all of them." Victor felt a painful pang in his chest, he and Makkachin were the same. It seemed pretty ridiculous to be compared to a dog, but Makkachin was his best friend. Family even.

And to hear that Makkachin had a family of his own was enough to bring tears to his eyes. "How many puppies did he have?" He sniffed and wiped away his tears. "Six, all were taken but one." Scratch that, they were practically identical. Victor was so close to sobbing but he bit his lip and nodded. "Wow.." He choked out. "Yup." Minako stated popping the 'P' at the end.

The car ride was then silent with both of them giving small comments here and there until finally, they arrived at the Katsuki house. Victor drew in a long breath and climbed out of the car, he climbed in the backseat and unbuckled Yuki being careful not to wake him. Before he grabbed Yuki he wrapped him in his blanket and slung the diaper bag over his shoulder and gently lifted Yuki into his arms.

Yuki stirred a bit but drifted off just like before and leaned against his father. "Poor baby he really looks exhausted." Minako frowned and leaned down to stroke Yuki's hair. "He's pretty warm." She mumbled worriedly and then straightened her posture. "Go right in I'll get your luggage." She urged Victor to go and lightly pushed him toward the house. "A-ah thank you." Victor stuttered and headed toward the house.

His heart pounded against his chest rather hardly and Yuki wasn't able to sleep well, he sensed his father's anxiety and opened his heavy eyelids. "Paa~" He gurgled and grasped onto Victor's shirt using all his strength to look up. Victor instantly looked down to meet his son's eyes and let out a shaky breath. "Sorry Yuki, I'm okay now. Thank you." He kissed the top of his head and then knocked on the door as soon as he made it.

There was a bark, it sounded lighter and more bubbly than the one that followed after it which sounded low and gruff, but still energetic. Yuki squealed at the new sounds and giggled, there was quick shuffling then. "Ah! Shoo, go to your rooms." A soft voice demanded and giggled, Victor froze.

The door slowly opened revealing Hiroko, her brown hair was greying, delicate wrinkles layered on her sweet face, her glasses nearly slid off her nose, and she stood with an eagerness. She was still pretty short though, but it didn't bother Victor, not one bit.

"Vicchan!" She gasped and opened the door wider a wide smile spread on her face. "Hiroko..I'm so happy to see you again." Victor smiled and hugged the elder lady. "I missed you too, oh you've grown!" She exclaimed and stood on her toes in order to fully hug Victor. "And my little Yuki, I'm so happy." They both pulled away from the embrace and Victor leaned down to show his son to Hiroko.

Yuki's mood suddenly went down he whimpered as if he were in pain and pressed himself against his father's chest. "He's not well at the moment." Victor frowned. "May I see him?" Hiroko asked and outstretched her arms. "Don't worry, I'll help." Victor passed Yuki to his mother-in-law and anxiously awaited as she checked his temperature. "What have you noticed that's been different?" She asked. "He's been crying a lot, but his cries are quieter than usual." He explained.

Hiroko nodded and smiled at Victor. "Don't worry dear it's only a small fever." She stated. "First let's take him a bath, then give him lots of fluids and cool foods such as yogurt, if he's still warm after we can give him some medicine to let him rest and diminish any pain." Victor winced at the thought of his son being in pain, it hurt him.

After being told what to do Victor took Yuki to the bathhouse and wiped the sweat off his brow, the steam coming from the water made it a little too warm for Victor's liking since he wore thick clothing, but the steam was good for Yuki. When Victor came across a tub he turned on the water and tested the water as it filled the tub, people were taking baths as well and children ran around.

Victor closed the curtain behind him and stripped Yuki of his clothing. "All right Yuki, your first bath in Japan will be a splendid one." Victor cheered, but as soon as he was about to bring Yuki into the tub he found that Yuki was tightly grasping onto his shirt. "Oh." Victor frowned. "What's wrong Yuki?" He asked earning a small whimper, he sighed and slid off the heavy bag from his shoulder. "Okay, okay."

Victor stripped himself from his own clothes and carefully climbed into the tub holding Yuki to his chest. "You're so spoiled." He cooed at his son. "But I'm glad you are." Yuki yawned and rested against his father, the lukewarm water soothed him and the warm steam allowed him to breathe. "Don't fall asleep on me now! I still need to dress you after the bath." Victor whined, but Yuki still ended up falling asleep.

Victor sighed and shook his head, he held onto his son and drenched him with the warm water every now and then so that he wouldn't get cold, Victor couldn't believe it.

After what seemed for a long time he finally returned to Hasetsu, the place that brought him extreme pain whenever he thought of it. Now, look where he was, sitting in a tub with his son. And Hiroko welcoming him with open arms with no trace of sadness or sorrow in her mood.

That had confused Victor at first until he finally realized something, she was a bit too cheery.

She was trying so hard to keep on a wide smile and happy tone, even though Victor knew that she was waiting to see her son knock on the door and hug her as nothing had ever happened, he knew how much she was trying.

He knew how painful it was too...