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[ Viktor comes back in with a rather large glass of something alcoholic in hand when he sees Yuri, pausing in the entryway of the kitchen when he spots his phone in Yuri's hand. He's surprised himself, enough that he doesn't say anything at first, just watching the emotions play out on Yuri's face. ]

[There are a lot of them. Surprise that Viktor's actually standing up for him. Frustration that even Viktor can't seem to get through to Adachi. Uncomfortable shame over the idea that he's hurting his own image. (Was he hurting it? Would things be easier if he just gave up?)

He sighs at the phone and glances over his shoulder to check that the coast's still clear and—]

[—drops the phone back onto the counter.]

I didn't send anything.

[ Viktor huffs a helpless little laugh at his surprise. ]

I should hope to think you learned that lesson last time, [ he teases, coming back into the room with his drink. ]

[He crosses his arms and steps away from the phone, wondering just how easily he can pretend he didn't see anything of substance.]

Trust me, I don't want a repeat of that.

I don't think anyone does.

[ He takes a large sip of his drink and sits back on the couch, next to his dropped phone. Then he pats the cushion beyond the phone, looking pointedly at Yuri. ]

[There are only a few beats of uncertain hesitation before he walks over to sit down beside Viktor.]

So. How much did you read?

[ At least Viktor doesn't sound mad? Just curious. ]

[This is strange, and Yuri isn't sure what to make of it. He watches Viktor curiously for a moment before beginning.]

Not all of it... Just from when you started yelling at him about arguing with me.

[ Oh that's good, then maybe he missed the part about Adachi kissing Yuuri ... ]

You looked surprised when you were reading it. Was it really so surprising?

[He shrugs stiffly.]

I don't know. ...I thought you'd side with him.

Even after I've said I'd talk to him about the same thing?

Well—it's not like anything's changed. He still acts the same as ever, so I didn't think...

[There's another shrug while he fumbles for the right words. It hadn't felt to him like Viktor was doing anything when he hadn't noticed any changes in the way Adachi responded to him.]

It just keeps feeling the same. Like he's pissed off at me for not "getting over it".

Mmm, he's stubborn, just like a certain kitten I know.

[ Another big sip from his drink before he turns to face Yuri more. ]

But I've got him to promise to just ignore you, especially in public posts.

[He grumbles and leans forward with a dejected sigh, resting his elbows on his knees.]

...Am I really just being stubborn?

About riling Tohru up and poking at him with a stick every chance you get? Probably. Not everything needs to be a shouting match, you know.

[ He eases back from the bluntness though, softening his voice. ]

But he's not being better about it either, and I've been trying to work on that with him.

I know you don't like him, and that's fine. I've said I'll support you even if he is my friend, haven't I? Your feelings aren't invalid or anything like that. You can't change how you feel about it.

I wasn't even trying to then! I just—[He balls his hands up in tight fists.] I just... I didn't want to go if he was going to be there. I don't know if I want to go even now.

[It had been quite a scene they'd made in the post, He wasn't sure if he wanted to deal with whatever questions or looks he'd face going to the party now.]

And he—! He can never admit when he's wrong. Even when he says he's taking responsibility, he turns around to blame someone else or get pissed at them for not letting it go fast enough in the same breath.

I thought I saw in the post that he said he wouldn't go. It'd be pretty obvious if one of the imPort skaters didn't go to the event though. Even if he does show up, you can always quietly make an exit.

Ah, that is true, it's a flaw of his. He is aware of it at least. Sort of. Again, we're working on it. Well, we were. Are going to.

[ That didn't sound very confident at the end there. ]

[Yuri rolls his eyes and hunches further over his knees.]

Of course he's going to show up. He'll waltz in and act like some fucking pathetic sap out of a sob story, and I'll just be the asshole who can't let things go.

People are dead because of him, Viktor. Two women are dead, and he acts like he's fine until he loses his temper and then it's anyone's fault but his, and I'm supposed to just act like he's any other guy?

[There's another sigh, sharper and exasperated.]

Fuck it, Viktor. I can take care of myself. [Because, really he's been so good at that so far.]

If he says he won't show up, I'll hold him to that, Yura, just like all the other promises I'm holding him to. And no, you're not supposed to act like anything, but there is such a thing as discretion. Even I know what that means, and that should say something.

[ But he looks closer at Yuri at the sigh. ]

... What do you mean, "take care of yourself"?

If I'm anything close to discreet then he starts trying to get chummy with me, or he starts hanging all over you like some fucking lovestruck kid on a first date. [Says the doubly lovestruck teen who's just had a pair of first dates.] Like when you got drunk during the flood.

[It might have seemed like he was avoiding the question, and he was! A little. But now he sits up slowly and glances away, too reluctant for eye contact.]

And I mean—I can take care of myself. [Well. He thinks it's a fine explanation.]

Then just ignore him. And—well, that was my fault. I really didn't mean to get that drunk.

Take care of yourself ... how? With what?

No. He was sober, so he should've known better. Isn't that how it works?

... I'll figure it out!

It is, but I wasn't discouraging it either. Probably even actively encouraging it, I don't remember clearly.

Yura ... what do you mean? Why do you think you need to take care of yourself?

Because you can't deal with Adachi at all. You're making excuses for him getting too close to you while you were drunk! You're sort of going to try to work on his flaws. Maybe.

[He scowls darkly at the end of the rant and slumps against the back of the couch.]

...I know you care about me. I know you want to help, but you've got a blind spot with that guy.

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