Victor sighed after Yuki finally drifted off to sleep, after the warm bath he dressed him in light clothes and Hiroko gave him some yogurt.

Though Yuki refused to eat it he seemed to have no appetite so they gave him formula milk which he gladly obliged and drank it. Though when they tried putting him to sleep he got fussy and squirmed in Victor's arms, and when he couldn't move anymore he cried which broke Victor's heart.

He eventually cried himself to sleep and Hiroko suggested to keep a close eye on him and to give him a light blanket if he were to get too cold. Victor sighed and lied by his son on the bed they both stayed in Victor's old room, the room he stayed in the first day he arrived. The day when Victor finally chased after the one he loved.

Victor had to stop himself from thinking, he was afraid of thinking too deeply. He feared that once he did he would never be the same, and he didn't want that. Hiroko soon entered with a tray of food and a soft kind smile on her face. "Ah, he's finally asleep." She sighed and placed the tray on the nightstand beside the bed. "Yes, he's very exhausted," Victor mumbled with his own smile. "That's good and as soon as he wakes up make sure he eats well." She informed the silver-headed man.

Victor smiled at the elder woman. "I will." He leaned forward and pulled the woman into a hug catching her by surprise. "I don't know what would've happened if I never came." He shuddered at the thought and continued to hold Hiroko, his mother-in-law. Hiroko patted Victor's back and giggled. "I forgot how loving you are, it's been too long Vicchan." She stated.

Victor pulled away from the embrace and chuckled. "I know I'm sorry." He scratched the back of his neck. "I've just been a bit precarious lately." He admitted. "Victor have you looked at yourself lately? You've changed, but look what its done to you." The pale thin man was not the Victor Hiroko remembered, he was weaker and very scared. Yuuri's disappearance really affected him in a bad way.

Hiroko sighed and gently took a hold of his hand, he flinched but then relaxed. "I'm sorry Hiroko." He dropped his gaze to his lap. "I must look pretty pathetic huh?" He shook his head. "I'm...really trying my best." Seeing how broken Victor looked broke Hiroko's heart. "Victor parenting is hard trust me on that, but staying strong is the hardest part. And seeing you now in this condition yet still staying as strong as you can I am so proud of you." She gave a loving smile.

Victor's heart swelled. "Thank you so much for your kindness, I can never repay the great things you have done for me." He willed himself not to cry. "There's no need to repay me, you are like a son to me. It's my duty to make sure you're safe and well, and I'm a grandma now so I'm happy to take care of both you and your little angel." The smile on her face grew.

A sudden knock startled the pair. "Ah, Mrs.Katsuki?" A low yet young voice was heard from the other side of the closed door. "Oh come in, but be quiet," Hiroko replied in a hushed shout, the door creaked open and there appeared a tall young man. And just by a quick glance at his hair Victor instantly recognized the boy.  "Minami?" He asked, shocked.

Minami looked way older and broader, he had a tall stature with a wide shoulder length, he was possibly taller than Victor now. Minami's mouth flew open. "Victor!" He shouted, both Victor and Hiroko winced and Yuki was disturbed of his sleep. He awoke with a cry startling the man in the doorway. "A..a baby!?" He gasped. "Well, at least he slept for a good three hours." Victor sighed and scooped Yuki into his arms.

He then stood and smiled. "Minami I'm so happy to see you again." He said. "Woah you're so short now, but haven't aged a day." Victor was delighted to hear that. "Why thank you." He smugly smiled. "How old are you now Minami?" He asked curiously as Yuki sucked on his fingers. "I'm...." He trailed off, he was too busy staring at the baby in Victor's arms. "Twenty." He finally answered.

Yuki looked back at Minami and giggled at him. "Is that baby yours?" He asked. "Of course he is, his name is Yuki Katsuki Nikiforov," Victor answered. "Wow, hi there." Minami waved at the infant. "I can't believe you're a dad." He stated. "I can't believe you're twenty, and so tall!" Victor exclaimed. "Heh, well I had a growth spurt," Minami stated and scratched the back of his neck.

Victor held Yuki out to Minami who just couldn't tear his eyes away from him. "Would you like to hold him?" He asked with a chuckle. "M-may I?" Minami asked with a stutter. "Of course, mind his head though." Victor smiled and carefully handed Yuki over to the shocked man. Minami cradled Yuki in his shaking arms and stared down at him. "Woah..." He whispered.

Yuki looked back at Minami and giggled at his shocked expression. "He's so cute." Minami cooed at the infant. "And so tiny, how old is he?" He held Yuki in front of him. "Six months," Victor answered. "And still a handful." He stated jokingly. "Do you often visit here?" He asked. "Of course, I do have to visit my pup every now and then," Minami answered.

Victor froze. "Your pup? Did you keep Makkachin's puppy!?" He asked excitedly, the taller boy grinned. "yup, but Mrs.Katsuki takes care of her most of the time. I'm always practicing so I'd rarely have time for her at my place." Minami explained as he smiled down at Yuki who took hold of his fingers. "She's so attached to you already I think Makkachin is getting jealous." Hiroko giggled. "It's a her?" Victor asked.

Hiroko and Minami nodded. "Yeah I named her Rosie," Minami stated proudly. "She's grown up a lot too." Victor smiled. "I bet Makkachin has grown quite a lot too." He stated. "He's slower but still pretty active," Hiroko replied. "Where are they?" Victor asked eager to reunite with his best friend and companion. "They have their own room. It was a guest room, but I turned it to their own playroom." Hiroko explained and stood from the bed.

"Come I'll show you, but after that, you will eat a proper meal. And Minami you as well, you are now my guest which means you must allow me to hospitalize you."

With that she lead both men out, Minami handed Yuki back to Victor and jumped on his toes excitedly. Victor chuckled, even as a young tall man Minami was still the same, childish and bright. Yuki looked around the new surroundings and gaped at many things, the trio even laughed when Yuki squealed at a cherry blossom tree painting that they walked by.

Eventually, whines and excited barks could be heard from a room down the hall, Minami took in a breath. "My Rosie daddy is here!" He called out, Victor laughed hysterically and Yuki giggled at his father's laughter. Both father and son joined together in a fit of laughter Minami's face flushed red, and Hiroko was greatly gifted with the sight in front of her. Seeing Victor actually smiling and laughing made her happy.

Hiroko opened the door from the closed room and a medium-sized light brown poodle jumped on Miami's legs barking happily. "Hi, sweetie." Minami smiled and kneeled to the ground. Chasing after the poodle was an older, darker poodle. Victor gasped and lightly squeezed Yuki, Makkachin was so...so big! And older. Victor called out to him, and Makkachin's ears perked up.

The old pup looked up toward Victor and barked happily, excitedly, and his tail wagged nonstop. Victor laughed and slowly kneeled to the ground being cautious of Yuki just in case Makkachin was to jump on them, which gratefully didn't happen. Instead, Makkachin was already tall enough to lick Victor's face, he started whimpering too which made Victor want to cry. "Aww, it's okay boy I'm here now." He reassured the happy poodle.

Yuki happily squealed at the new creature in front of him and reached out to touch it. "now aren't you eager?" Victor chuckled and sat on the ground placing Yuki on his lap. "Makkachin this is my son, the new edition to our family!" Victor smiled. Makkachin sniffed Yuki getting the scent of both Victor and his other owner, the scent was a mixture of both people he absolutely loved.

And with overwhelming happiness, the poodle barked and licked Yuki's face, at first Yuki was startled, but after a while, he laughed and grasped onto Makkachin's fur. He squealed and laughed. "I'm so happy you like Makkachin Yuki." Victor cooed happily at his giggling son. "I'm so happy to see that Makkachin has grown." He said with a smile.

Hiroko nodded. "He was a handful too, but he helped a lot around the place." Makkachin trotted over to Hiroko and licked her hand. "Ah right, it's time for lunch since Yuki has woken up now." She said Yuki was already gnawing on his fingers. "I suppose you're right, he's already eating his fingers." Victor chuckled and pulled Yuki's fingers out of his mouth. "Is he teething?" Minami asked curiously.

Victor nodded. "His teeth are still growing in so it's going to take a while to get him out of the habit." He explained with a small frown, he could already imagine all the sleepless nights.

---------------------------

Hiroko and her husband were both sitting at the table, Minami sat next to Victor with Yuki on his lap. "What are we having?" Minami asked curiously. "Miso soup, just a light meal to save room for dinner," Minako stated, Mari soon arrived just as the soup was served. She was definitely older, and she looked exhausted. "I'm home." She called out and slipped off her shoes replacing them with slippers.

She walked into the kitchen and instantly froze as soon as she saw Victor sitting at the table with Yuki on his lap, her eyes went wide. "V-Vic..." she stammered and her eyes landed on Yuki who giggled as soon as he saw the funny look on her face "welcome home dear." Hiroko smiled at her dumbfounded daughter.

"Now don't be rude greet our guests," Hiroko said. "Ah...yes." Mari nodded and slowly trudged over to Minami and Victor slowly tearing her gaze away from the infant Victor held. "Welcome." She mumbled and bowed to them. "Thank you." Minami grinned. "It's nice to see you again Mari." Victor smiled at the shocked woman. "Y-yeah.." she stammered and turned away from him.

"I'll go wash up." She muttered and rushed down the hall nearly slipping in the process. "it must've been a hard day." Hiroko sighed, Minami nodded in agreement. "Is something wrong?" Victor asked as he fed Yuki. "Mari works with Minako and still helps out here, I'm worried all the stress will make her ill." She explained worriedly. "I've told her many times to take a day off, but she always refuses!" The elder woman pouted.

Victor chuckled and shook his head. "She must want to accomplish something then." He said which really caught Hiroko's and Minami's attention. "What do you mean?" Minami asked. "You really don't see it? She's determined to accomplish something if she never stops working there must be a reason why." He smiled. "I used to be that determined."

Mari returned and was changed into fresh and comfortable clothes. "May I join you all?" She asked hesitantly. "Of course dear." Hiroko nodded and pointed at the seat next to her and across from Victor. "Thank you." She looked down and sat at her seat taking a bowl for herself. Victor noticed that she seemed a bit uneasy Yuki looked at the woman in front of him and reached out for her, something about her seemed familiar to him.

Mari flinched, she was so focused on the baby. She couldn't believe her eyes. "It looks like Yuki wants you to hold him," Victor said. "Would you like to carry him, Mari?" He asked.

Mari stayed silent for a while thinking about what to do and say she bit her lip and averted his gaze, she reluctantly nodded. "Here why don't you feed him too?" Victor slid Yuki's bowl to her and then carefully handed his son over to her, Mari gasped and cradled Yuki in her arms.

Yuki giggled and grasped onto Mari's shirt burying his face in the fabric of her clothes, she smelled so familiar. "He's very fond of you." Victor chuckled. "Y-yeah.." Mari stammered and rubbed Yuki's small back, Yuki looked up at her and reached for her face.

Mari was taken aback, she remembered the first time her little brother was born, the first time she held him in her arms and hugged him close promising to keep him happy and safe.

Tears filled her eyes, Yuki paused and dropped his hand giving her a confused look, the others were worried about the crying woman. "I-I'm sorry." She sniffed and wiped her eyes hugging Yuki close to her chest. "It's just..." She placed a kiss on Yuki's forehead and continued.

"He looks so much like Yuuri."

At those words, Victor's heart ached, and he too was close to tears.