mixingbowl | Took a wrong turn somewhere (or is it right?)

[Another "thank you" is at the tip of his tongue when the doorbell catches his attention instead. Yuuri sighs, but knows he'll have plenty of chances to say the words if he's really staying here while he gets everything sorted out.

Once the smell hits him, Yuuri's reminded just how long it's been since he last ate. His panic over everything had pushed his hunger to the back of his mind earlier, but he can't ignore it any longer now that the food's sitting right in front of him.

Yuuri perks up visibly, then shifts, poised to stand.]

Should I grab plates and utensils from the kitchen?

Just spoons will do! Far left drawer, by the fridge. [he'll put the food on the counter, bowls of Borscht could be eaten directly out of the breads and pastries didn't need their own plates really]

You'll like these, well worth the wait. [he can tell by the smell! It definitely made his house feel more living in and less sterile, to have the warm food smell in the air.

As if summoned by the arrival of the smell, out from a room upstairs will stride a standard poodle.]

Makkachin! Stop, stay! [he'll call to the dog, which nervously sits between stairs, looking anxious to be told to come, tail wagging wildly because NEW PERSON? Victor looks to Yuri.]

Do you like dogs, Yuri? I can try to keep him upstairs if you don't.

[Just as Yuuri smiles and ducks his head bashfully, ready to head into the kitchen, Makkachin's arrival makes him stop in his tracks.

Oh. Right. With the whirlwind of disasters that's been this year's Grand Prix Finals, Yuuri had almost forgotten what had sent him sliding into his horrible mental state to begin with. Now, faced with the poodle that had spurred him into getting Vicchan, Yuuri finds himself choking up a little.]

Um. Yes. [He manages to keep his voice relatively steady, if a little weak.] I love dogs, actually.

Ah, well, brace yourself. [he can tell something is odd, but Yuri if wouldn't want to dog barreling down on him he would have been more passionately against the idea. Victor whistles for Makkachin and the poodle bounds down the stairs and up to Yuri.

Promptly, the dog tackles him onto the carpet for snuggles]

[There's nothing quite like getting pounced on by an eager dog, Yuuri thinks. Despite the brief pang of hurt at the familiar sensation, Yuuri can't help but laugh a little as Makkachin whines and wags his tail.]

Hi, Makkachin. [Yuuri pushes himself up off his back, scratching behind the poodle's ears affectionately.] Are you joining us for, um... [He squints at the laptop screen from the floor.] Late lunch?

[the dog borf borfs happily at Yuri in response. Victor whistles for his attention, to get the dog off Yuri and into the kitchen for a snack bone. The dog takes it from his master and immediately runs back to Yuri, dancing around him to show off his new prize. Victor just chuckles as he gets the people food out for them to finally eat.]

[Yuuri, finding it a lot easier to smile now that the initial surprise has faded, just grins at Makkachin's enthusiasm and ruffles the poodle's fur.]

Oh, spoons! [He suddenly remembers when he sees Victor fussing with the food on the table. Far left drawer, far left drawer, he reminds himself as he hurries to the kitchen and comes back with the utensils.]

[Victor will be leaning on the counter, watching his dog run around with his new bone. When Yuri appears with the spoons he'll snag one with a gentle thanks, pulling a bowl of soap to eat standing, still leaning on the counter. His eyes fall back on Yuri, watching him intently. Yuri said he didn't mind the staring, which is good because Victor isn't too mindful of when he's doing as much.]

Tell me what you think.

[After a half-second moment of indecision, Yuuri joins Victor at the counter with his soup. He dips his spoon in, and tastes the borscht curiously, aware of Victor's gaze on him the whole time. Instead of feeling put off by the staring, Yuuri lets the interest warm him, now that he's heard Victor say it in his own words.

Finally, he turns to Victor with a smile.]

It's good. Mr. Celestino and I didn't really get a chance to try any of the local food, since we just stayed in the hotel to eat. [An idea starting to form in his mind, Yuuri stirs at the borscht with his spoon.] Did you try any Japanese food when you were there for the NHK Trophy?

I didn't get to try much in Japan! The plane arrived late and we had an early flight right after. So, we only went out for Sushi once. Though, what I did have was divine!

[Yuuri brightens up, opportunity spotted.]

Um, I've picked up some cooking skills from my mom. [You didn't help out at the inn for so long without learning a few things. And Yuuri had always liked helping out in the kitchen the best.] Maybe I could cook some Japanese dishes for you to try. As a thank you for taking me in like this.

[If Yuri's face had brightened, Victor's SPARKLES]

Would you really!? That sounds amazing!

[Any misgiving Yuuri had about offering is immediately erased by that smile.]

Really? I can show you the ones I know how to make later, and you can tell me which ones you want to try!

All of them! I'll try it all. I love to be surprised!

Okay. [Yuuri beams, suddenly feeling better now that there's something he can do for Victor in return.]

I'll just have to stop by the market to pick up the ingredients beforehand. Unless you think you have anything here...? [He glances toward the kitchen.]

Just some dry pasta, nothing very good. We can go do some shopping together! [Victor makes this mundane thing sound fun, somehow. He might really enjoy these little domestic moments, not very used to sharing them]

[The sheepish look returns. Yuuri isn't exactly minding these domestic moments either, though he's still blown away that they're happening at all.]

That... would be helpful. I don't think I would be able to find anything if everything's written in Cyrillic.

Make a list in English, I'll help you find everything. [he thinks a moment, looking at his phone]

We should probably go soon, there's a storm rolling in tonight that might snow us in. Would be better to have food stocked up.

[Out of sheer habit, he reaches in his pocket for a phone that he no longer has, and sighs ruefully when he realizes this. He's nowhere near Phichit's level of dependency on his technology, but he didn't think he would miss it this much either.]

I guess I'll have to use pen and paper until I can figure something out for my phone... [He quickly finishes the borscht and sets aside the rest of the bread bowl to the side while he scans the table for a notepad or something similar.]

[A pad of paper and a pen is produced relatively quickly. Victor had been using it to write down the police information while on the phone earlier. He'll be finishing up his meal as Yuri scribbles on the pad, actually focusing on his meal more than watching Yuri]

[While Viktor eats, Yuuri tries to recall the various ingredients that go into the dishes he does remember off the top of his head.]

Hmm. [The pen rests against his lips as he thinks.] How long do you think the storm will last?

Mmm, not sure, let me check the forecast... [he'll take his own phone out, flipping along to a weather app. He coughs a bit, looking concerned.]

Uhm... several days? [3-5 was forecast for snow, it would be difficult to know just how many might solidly trap them, but... better safe than sorry.] We should really go now.

[If Victor's concerned by the weather, then it increases Yuuri's worry several times over. Strangely, the thought of being snowed in with Victor for days doesn't bother him, when it would have sent him into a panic just days before--though, Yuuri supposes he should wait for it all to really sink in before he feels too relieved by this.]

I think this should be enough. [Yuuri decides, dropping the pen as he finishes his list.] Let me grab a jacket from my bag and we can head out.

[Victor's concern is severely under stocked home in general and he doesn't want Yuri to have an uncomfortable stay, especially not from Victor being under prepared. He'll grab a jacket for himself, giving Makkachin another snuggle at the door before they can head out to town. Victor goes into a rather busy corner market, seemed like a few other people had this same idea. He'll hand Yuri a basket and have one for himself, his other hand taking Yuri's to guide him around and make sure he didn't muscled away by another hasty shopper wanting to stock up before a storm.]

[Despite the thrum of worry that's been under his skin since this morning, Yuuri finds himself studying the busy market with wide, curious eyes. He hadn't been kidding when he said he and Celestino had barely gotten out of the hotel to sight see, and now he's getting a taste of Russia in a rather unconventional way.

There's a flush of color on Yuuri's cheeks, one that's been there since Victor first took his hand. It hasn't had a chance to abate at all, returning in full force every time Yuuri sneaks a look at their joined hands.]

Is that rice over there? [Yuuri forces himself to concentrate on the task at hand, clutching his basket closer.]

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