By: West Wind
Holiday Bingo Prompt: Beach
Holiday: Ocean day – Japanese Third Monday in July
Series Order: 1
Fandom: Yuri on Ice
Rating: G
Pairing: Yuuri/Victor
Warnings: None
Word Count: 1223
Summary: During their visit with Yuuri’s parents in Japan, Victor discovers it’s a Japanese holiday and wants to experience it with his love.
Yuuri just finished dressing when the clicking sound of dog nails on the floor preceded him being loved on by Makkachin. Yuuri laughed and rubbed Makkachin’s head and ears.
“Did you have a nice walk?” he asked the dog.
“He did,” Victor answered. “There were many more people on the beach today for him to meet. He was thrilled to meet them.”
Yuuri continued to pet Makkachin while he contemplated why there would be more people on the beach today. “Oh… it’s Ocean day.”
“You seem surprised,” Victor said, sitting down beside Yuuri on the bed.
Yuuri smiled and shook his head. “With living in other countries for so long, it’s not a holiday that’s on my radar – especially when there isn’t an ocean nearby.”
Victor took Yuuri’s hand. “What’s the holiday to celebrate? They told me about the activities, but not why.”
“It’s to celebrate the bounty the ocean provides us. We are an island nation. The ocean provides us with food and transport and is a large part of our economy.”
“A day to count your blessings, then.”
Yuuri squeezed Victor’s hand. “Basically. It’s also a time to enjoy the ocean and the water.” He released the hand and stood up with a final pat on Makkachin’s head. “What activities were planned?”
Victor followed Yuuri out of the room. “There are various competitions set up throughout the day from what I understand. A swimming race and boating race for those who want to compete. Something about mud balls…” Victor shrugged. “There were many people starting their appreciation by watching the sunrise over the ocean.”
“Did you stop and watch or did Makkachin demand to keep moving?”
“We took a moment to watch. It was a stunning show of color.”
His mother glanced at them when they entered the kitchen.
“The couple setting up lights said that they would have fireworks once it was dark.”
“That’s new. I know Tokyo has firework displays, but when I was a kid, there wasn’t anything that extravagant here.”
“Why not?”
Yuuri adjusted his glasses. “Not sure. Morning, mom.”
“Morning, Yuuri, Victor. It was a new holiday when you were a kid,” she said. “The town set aside funds for the fireworks just a few years ago. Before that, the teenagers would set off their own fireworks.” She pushed a bowl of miso soup into his hands. “Eat.”
Yuuri took the bowl and headed out to a table to eat. Victor followed with his own breakfast.
“We should take the day off and enjoy the holiday.” Victor was vibrating in his seat. “Do things with your family.”
“Probably not all of them at once because of…” he nodded his head indicating the inn.
“True. But maybe they can get away for a bit to enjoy the beach.”
~~~~
Mid-morning they stroll down the beach with Yuuri’s parents. The number of people, who knew his parents, was not a surprise to Yuuri. What was a surprise was the number who wanted to stop and talk to them instead of offering a passing greeting. He did not know if that was because they were out and about on a holiday or because of Victor’s presence.
It was probably both.
“Katsuki Hiroko,” called a woman around his mother’s age. “It’s been ages. You got away for the day.” She was definitely judging them as she looked him and Victor over while pleasantries were exchanged. “Is this your son? Is he back to stay and take over the business?”
Victor bristled.
His mother beamed with pride. “This is my son and his fiance Nikiforov Victor. We are very proud of both of them.” She patted Yuuri’s arm.
“What do you do?” she asked them.
“We’re both professional figure skaters. Victor has won five consecutive World Championships and been to the Olympics,” Yuuri said, scaling it down to the highlights for those who do not follow skating.
Victor clasped Yuuri’s hand between his. “My Yuuri won gold at Worlds this year.” He looked lovingly at Yuuri. “He will be going to the upcoming Olympics.”
Yuuri blushed under the attention and assuredness.
“The Olympics…” the woman trailed off.
“We are looking forward to it,” his mother said.
“Well, I’ll be sure to watch your performances,” she said before making her excuses and leaving.
“Who was she?” Yuuri asked.
“Masago. I went to school with her. She moved out of town years ago, so I haven’t seen her in years,” she explained. “Thank heaven.”
They introduced Victor to many other family acquaintances as they walked. None were as insulting as Masago.
“Have you set a wedding date yet?” his mother asked as they walked back to the inn.
“Not yet,” Victor answered. “Earliest will be after the end of the season next year.”
“That gives us close to a year to plan.”
“Mom, we don’t want anything big,” Yuuri protested.
“The sooner you marry the sooner you can give me grandkids,” she said. “Nara has three already.”
“Grandkids!” Yuuri choked out. “We haven’t talked about that… and what about Mari? She’s older.”
She gave a soft huff. “She’s a Christmas cake.1”
“Christmas cake?” Victor was clearly confused. He leaned in close to Yuuri. “That’s a holiday cake. Am I translating it correctly?”
Yuuri patted Victor’s arm. “Yes. It’s a term used for unmarried women who you don’t expect to ever get married…”
Victor nodded, and the confusion eased from his features. “But why compare them to a cake?”
Yuuri rubbed his nose. “It’s not great… but most historical terms for bachelorette have a disapproving connotation to them. There are unsold Christmas cakes after the 25th.” He waved his free hand around as if to wave away the belittling concept.
“Hmm… The Russian term isn’t better and neither is the English term,” Victor said. “I won’t call you sister any of those.”
“Good decision.”
~~~~
Yuuri and Victor sat on the same stone ledge as they had when Victor first came to Hasetsu. Yuuri’s sister and the Nishigori were sitting not far away on the blankets they had spread out for their picnic dinner that Victor arranged.
They watched other families settle into their blankets as the light faded. The triplets joined in with the other children. They ran across the sand waving sparklers through the air and leaving trails of light and their joy-filled voices in their wake.
Victor warped his arm around Yuuri and pulled him close. Yuuri lifted his head and enjoyed the breeze coming off the ocean.
“Today’s been fun,” Victor said. He kissed the side of Yuuri’s head.
“It has. It was good to take a break.” He turned his head to place a kiss on Victor’s lips which he eagerly offered up.
“We’ll have to be in Japan next year to do it again,” Victor said.
“Hmmm… Will that be before or after we’re married and adopting a kid?” Yuuri slid his arm around Victor’s waist.
“We can adopt Yuro. Your family adores him,” Victor said.
“He would hiss and snarl if we tried or even mentioned it.”
“But just like the cats he loves, he will melt under their attention once here.”
“So true.”
There was a bang and the summer sky lit up with cascading lights over the water. Yuuri leaned against Victor and enjoyed the end of their day spent with family and friends.
The End
1Spinster. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinster
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