#akigure

Yuri!!! on Ice Recs

1) i saw you in a dream (77K, by oh_you_pretty_things) - WIP

Relevant Ships/Tags: Viktor/Yuuri, Time Travel, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Teenagers

I don’t think I can even begin to describe how excited I was to see this fic update at the end of May! 

This is a time travel fic with a premise that I don’t think I’ve seen before in the fandom: one where Yuuri as a 16 year old in the Junior Division – and someone who’s broken Viktor’s Junior Division Short Program record, among others – travels backwards in time and meets Viktor before the latter has achieved notoriety in figure skating. In the middle of skating his Free Skate during the 2005 Junior World Championships, Yuuri is thinking about how all of his routines are about Viktor, about his “reaching” for him. Then, instead of landing his triple flip on the ice in Kitchener, Canada in 2005 he finds himself back in 2001 at the Junior World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria (where the Yuuri of that timeline would be 12 years old).

In the 2001 timeline, Viktor is about to skate when his mind conjures an image of Yuuri – who is, at that point, a stranger to him – and then, in the middle of landing his own triple flip, Yuuri suddenly appears on the same ice; due to the vision from minutes earlier, Viktor is certain that Yuuri’s appearance is fated. He’s also thrilled to learn that the same boy from his vision recognizes and knows him, and his earnestness as he tries to get to know Yuuri is one of my favorite things in this story.

Needless to say, there’s a lot of panicking as well as logistics that must be taken care of before the majority of the figure skating community accepts that Yuuri is a hapless time traveler and not someone who was trying to deliberately sabotage Viktor’s skating. Once Yuuri is able to get his bearings a bit, he’s able to slowly accept the fact that the Viktor of the current timeline seems genuinely happy to have him around for company. As such, their mutual crushes begin to develop in the most heartwarming, almost painfully sweet way, and it’s really interesting to see how outsiders react to their quickly blossoming friendship. 

Note: you must be a registered member of the archive in order to view/read this fic

Excerpt (from chapter 8):

Despite traveling through time and crashing Viktor Nikiforov’s 2001 Junior Worlds free skate, Yuuri is certain that he hasn’t had a full panic attack. Yet. He’s sure it’s coming, once all of this really sinks in. Once he stops to think about his own juniors career, lost in space and time. His family, his friends, his life all still here, but without the same memories as him. Once he examines the fact that the gap in his sister’s age and his has been cut dramatically. He’s only two years younger than her now. Two. They’d be at high school together right now, if he was home.

He is not home. He is in Bulgaria. In 2001.

Yuuri swallows hard, his mouth dry and uncooperative as he pushes these ideas out of his mind with a burst of mental fortitude. He’s too tired to spiral right now, too shell-shocked to really digest anything. If he had the energy to digest information, he’d have to acknowledge that Viktor Nikiforov has been holding his hand all night and smiling at him, that he’d not only kissed his hand, but also his nose. That he looks at him like he is someone interesting and special, and not a dime-a-dozen figure skater from Japan.

He can hear Ito-sensei’s irritated grumble in his ear now: You have never been and will never be a dime-a-dozen figure skater, Katsuki Yuuri. If I ever see that kid again, I’ll give him a thrashing. It’s funny the mean things that get wedged into young minds when delivered at the right time, with the right level of vitriol.

Logically, Yuuri knows Ito-sensei is right, but his cruel brain likes to hold onto the taunt a sore loser had hurled at him once, when he’d fallen on the ice while learning his triple axel. Logically, Yuuri knows the joke is on that kid because Yuuri has the triple axel, and it’s clean and crisp and everything it should be, and, to add insult to injury, it’s earned him several gold medals. The hilarious punchline to all this is that the media have started calling him “Japan’s Ace”, which Yuuri finds ludicrous because some cursed set of neurons have decided to latch onto another, inaccurate moniker instead.

Yuuri can’t think about this now. Not about Ito-sensei, who hasn’t even started coaching him yet, in this time, and not about his brilliant career that’s just…gone now. Viktor hasn’t even made all his world records yet for him to break (he was going to make one tonight, before Yuuri ruined it all).

He just…can’t…do this…right now.

He doesn’t realize that he’s squeezed his eyes shut, doesn’t really hear the ringing in his ears, or feel his shortened breaths, until cool fingers curl around his.

“Yuuri.”

He opens his eyes and sees blue again. 

2) boy next door (53K, by wingchestr) - NSFW, WIP 

Relevant Ships/Tags: Viktor/Yuuri, Mutual Pining, Switching, Omega Victor Nikiforov, Alpha Katsuki Yuuri, Alternate Universe - Coffee Shops & Cafes, Mating Cycles/In Heat

Ok, so this omegaverse story hasn’t been updated in several years, but don’t let that put you off from reading, because it’s a FANTASTIC ride (though, not a slow burn, if that’s something you look for). Incidentally, I consider something a WIP until the author has officially noted it’s been abandoned or discontinued…as a fic writer myself, I know how fickle one’s muses can be, fucking off to God knows where before reappearing back again at random, lol. 

If you’re in the mood to read something cute and comforting with an Alpha Yuuri and Omega Viktor dynamic, I think you’d really enjoy this. Yuuri works at a coffee shop called The Green Bean, and Viktor is a perfumier and frequent customer, who harbors – surprise surprise – a gigantic crush on him. The feelings are mutual, of course, and though the both of them are oblivious (and endearing) idiots, they manage to get their act together relatively quickly.

The story begins with Viktor feeling absolutely miserable due to his imminent heat, which he’ll have to spend alone when all he wants to do is have Yuuri share it with him. Viktor’s only known Yuuri for 3 months, but even so, Yuuri feels like a breath of fresh air considering Viktor's past negative experiences with alphas. His morose, pre-heat-induced behavior and his absence from the cafe during his heat catches Yuuri’s attention, and the latter makes no effort to hide how happy he is to see Viktor when he stops back in at The Green Bean after he’s recovered. Viktor feels emboldened by how quickly they’re able to go back to their usual slightly flirty back-and-forth, and invites Yuuri out for a doggy playdate so that Makkachin and Vicchan can meet. 

Their adorable not-date ends on a decidedly non-platonic note when they kiss, and it’s two dates later that they’re both willing to admit (to themselves, at least) that they’d like for more than just a casual relationship. The smut in this story is so, so good, and one thing I absolutely adore is just how considerate and caring Yuuri is as an alpha, especially as this subverts Viktor’s expectations, which are based on some of the more stereotypical "selfish Alpha" encounters he's had in the past

Excerpt (from chapter 5):

Yuuri is soft and perfect, so good to cuddle with. Viktor hasn’t felt this content during a pre-heat — maybe ever? He can’t believe how good he feels, barely even feverish, just warm and pleased as he rests his head on Yuuri’s chest, limbs wrapped snugly around him. His scent glands itch dully under his skin, but it’s nowhere near unbearable, and Yuuri’s hand on his back, his soft breath stirring his hair, makes Viktor feel like he’s home.

Something's bothering him, though, anxious on the edges of his mind, and he cracks open his eyes to see what the problem is. Having Yuuri here is wonderful, but still the bed is too flat. The open edges out of the corner of his eye make him nervous. He needs to be safe, build a sheltered space for himself and his partner, keep them both out of harm’s way.

He sits up and smiles at Yuuri’s startled face, the concerned question that starts to form on his lips.

“It’s okay,” Viktor says, “you can stay here,” and he gets up and goes to the closet where he stores his extra pillows and the heat sheets.

He’s lifting the pillows out of their bin when arms close around his waist, folding him in an embrace. Viktor gasps, dropping the set of sheets that’s tucked under his arm.

“Can I help?” Yuuri asks, kissing his shoulder.

No, Viktor means to say, I can take care of it, don’t worry, but what comes out of his mouth instead is, “Would you help me strip the bed?”

“Of course,” Yuuri says, eyes shining.

And Viktor really doesn’t want to be a burden to him, but he can’t help the feeling that rises in his chest at the sight of Yuuri helping him, taking care of him, doting on him, Yuuri’s small smile as they remake the bed with the faded heat sheets.  

3) Side Effects Include Embarrassment (4.5K, by ClosetedShipper)  

Relevant Ships/Tags: Viktor/Yuuri, Getting Together, Embarrassed! Victor, Supportive Yuuri, First Kiss 

This author has a number of stories that look like they’re right up my alley (in particular, this one, b/c Viktor-centric hurt/comfort is my all-time weakness), so I was really, really happy to come across this fic of theirs.

I adore pre-relationship stories where we get to see Viktor displaying (rare) vulnerability, especially because it usually follows with the realization that Yuuri still likes him/accepts him that way. And, that Yuuri might even crave to experience more of that less emotionally guarded side of Viktor. This fic embraces that concept so well, and uses a very relatable premise: Viktor having to ask Yuuri for help in getting to Hasetsu’s local hospital, because of some unfortunate side effects from medication (specifically, the raging erection that’s lasted four and a half hours longer than it’s supposed to have, thanks to Viagra...poor guy!). 

And though Viktor feels so embarrassed in having to ask Yuuri for his help, Yuuri is just so sweet and patient that it made my heart sing while reading. When they get to the hospital, there’s a hilarious little exchange where Viktor realizes that the very attractive doctor who is treating him is Yuuri’s ex-boyfriend from high school, and it’s actually thanks to the man’s presence that later, after Viktor’s mini operation ends, Yuuri confesses that the reason he broke up with him was because of his crush on Viktor.

This confession scene/its aftermath (they kiss! several times!) is one of the cutest things I’ve ever read. It’ll probably put an idiotic grin on your face, as it did for me.

Excerpt:

Yuuri picks up Viktor’s hand and his voice goes soft in a way that doesn’t help Viktor’s current, very specific problem. “Everything is okay. This is a fixable problem. We’ll be out and back home before anyone knows we’re gone.” 

Viktor nods. Yuuri is leaning so close, and he’s holding his hand, and it’s creating an odd mix of sensations in his chest. 

Viktor is humiliated, and sweaty, and still super hard, and when Yuuri leans this close it gives him butterflies, but oddly, it’s okay.

He feels like he’s stripped naked of every ounce of his dignity and handed it to Yuuri to do with as he pleases. And Yuuri, who has previously never been calm about anything in his entire life, is just okay with that. He holds all of Viktor’s pride in the palm of his hand and he’s being so fucking gentle with it. 

But really, Viktor tells himself he shouldn't be surprised. Yuuri’s embarrassed by every situation ever. He’s probably uniquely qualified to help with embarrassment. That’s all this is. 

“I promise, it’s okay. In the morning, we can pretend like this never happened.”

Viktor nods again. “That would be good.”

Yuuri gets dressed quickly while Viktor finds a long coat that covers his groin. He meets Yuuri in the hallway between their rooms, and they creep out of the house like they just robbed the place. 

Turns out, the nearest hospital is a twenty five minute drive outside Hasetsu, and even Yuuri has to look up directions. Viktor never would have made it on his own. 

The ride there is quiet, except for the squeaky suspension in the Katsuki’s old van. 

Viktor spends the drive looking out the window, because you can’t make awkward, judgmental eye contact with a tree. 

4) Look To The Seas (7K, by Aurum_Auri)  - NSFW

Relevant Ships/Tags: Viktor/Yuuri, Mermaid Yuuri, Skater Viktor, Human/Monster Romance

Given that this post covers the month of May, I obviously had to include a mermaid story, and this one is by an author who’s written several fics that I love, including this one about Yuuri’s squid demon repossession following the events of Yuri on Festival (how insane is it that that was a thing that happened, canonically??? Lol).

This fic begins with a depressed/disillusioned Viktor staying at Yu-topia for an off-season vacation. After indulging in a katsudon dinner one night, he takes a walk by the ocean and is startled to see Mari — who he really only knows as the onsen owner’s daughter — skulking around in the dark. Though his curiosity is piqued, he decides against following her, and returns to the beach the next day.

At first, the sea is calm during his dip inside, but a sudden violent surge leads Viktor to nearly drown. That is, until he’s rescued by merman Yuuri, though he isn’t able to find this out until later, because Yuuri flees as soon as Viktor regains consciousness. He’s only able to make out that the creature is not human, and of course, spends the rest of the day wondering if he’s lost his mind.

Once Viktor’s rested a bit, he returns to the beach and notices a picnic basket that looks similar to the one Mari had been carrying around when she’d been acting so shifty the prior night. When Viktor vaguely asks her about whether she’s seen “anything strange” in the local waters, her flustered reaction is very telling, and she spills the truth about Yuuri, Hasetsu's local "fish friend", and his tendency of “saving stupid tourists from riptides”. 

I won’t say any more about Viktor and Yuuri’s eventual meeting/relationship development beyond the fact that 1) they get engaged in keeping with canon and 2) that this story ends on some very hot smut, but beautiful and bashful merman Yuuri is a delight to read about. 

Excerpt:

Oh. 

So he more than remembered Victor. 

Victor had seen more than his fair share of infatuated fans. Even if Yuuri was half fish, the look of a shy, wide-eyed boy with flushed cheeks and fluttering lashes was a universal constant. Victor felt his heart impossibly flutter when their eyes met. 

“Hi, I’m Victor,” he said, giving his most charming smile. “Thank you for saving me. It was you, wasn’t it? You pulled me from the riptide?”

Yuuri slowly nodded. He looked at Mari for a moment, guarded. She nodded back at him. “He’s going to keep it a secret. And if he doesn’t, I’ll kill him.” Mari’s tone left no doubt to her sincerity. Victor shuddered. 

“I would never tell,” Victor said quickly. “I know all too well what it feels like to have the world’s eye on you. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I genuinely just wanted to thank you.”

“It’s nothing,” Yuuri said softly. His voice was lovely as he spoke. “Riptides sometimes catch tourists unaware. I keep watch when I can.”

“Well, I owe you my life,” Victor said. “More than that, actually.”

Yuuri cocked his head. Victor smiled softly. “In my line of work, all of my efforts go into surprising people year after year. I had forgotten why I loved it. When I started drowning, I felt so empty, so hopeless about the future, and I let the sea take me. But when you pulled me out…”

“You were going to let yourself die?” Yuuri gasped. “But why?”

Victor smiled sadly. “It’s hard to explain. I was already tired. Hopeless. I was resigned to my fate, and I accepted death. But opening my eyes and seeing something so beautiful as you, I thought, maybe there are still surprises in this world. Maybe there is still a reason to hold on.”

Yuuri blushed intensely. “I’m not beautiful, not like you are. I’m just… just Yuuri.”

5) be my stable ground (2K, by Withstarryeyes)  

Relevant Ships/Tags: Viktor/Yuuri, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Miscommunication, Anxious Katsuki Yuuri, Insecure Katsuki Yuuri, Supportive Victor Nikiforov 

I’ve been on a big emotional hurt/comfort kick lately, and this fic was such a good, realistic read regarding a conflict Viktor and Yuuri might run into soon after Yuuri moves to St. Petersburg. Since it’s on the shorter side I don’t want to give too much away regarding what happens, but it always feels really satisfying and grounding to read stories about the way they handle miscommunications (and demonstrate that they learnt something from the infamous “let’s end this” situation from the Barcelona GPF).

Note: you must be a registered member of the archive in order to view/read this fic

Excerpt:

He finds the courage to look at Viktor before he finds his words. He looks tired, his blue eyes outlined by the slightest hint of bags. For Viktor’s that’s practically impossible. But more than that, he looks concerned. For Yuuri, maybe. Or the phone call. 

Yuuri tries to string together a coherent sentence. “I just was surprised. You took that call and you sounded upset and then you just--” he’s working himself up again, hiccuping against the words. “This is getting ridiculous,” he berates himself under his breath. 

Viktor draws in a breath, frowning now. Yuuri’s upset him. For a second his brain wonders if Viktor will leave, like he did after practice and the whole thing kinda slots into place. Yuuri doesn’t do well with people being upset at him. He’s always felt burdensome, felt like his feelings--his worries--push away his friends. And sometimes it has. He supposes he’s been waiting this whole time for the shoe to drop with Viktor. For the stress of Yuuri’s stress to fracture their good will. 

But Viktor hadn’t been upset with him. So Yuuri’s not sure why he’s so worried about it. 

“Yuuri, look at me,” Viktor says finally. He’s still frowning, just slightly, and it makes something twist in Yuuri’s chest. “Please don’t be mean to yourself. I want to listen to you. I want you to give yourself as much time as you need.”

6) Ripped Fishnets and Grey Hoodies (3K, by pensversusswords)  - NSFW

Relevant Ships/Tags: Viktor/Yuuri, Public Sex, Dom Katsuki Yuuri, Sub Victor Nikiforov, Exhibitionism, Alternate Universe - College/University

This fic was on my Marked for Later list for awhile and I’m honestly a little mad it took me so long to read it, because it’s the EXACT kind of thing that I love when it comes to Viktuuri power exchange (though note, this isn’t a formal scene): Viktor being a tease; Yuuri teasing back but because he can’t deny his boyfriend anything, inevitably giving in to what Viktor wants (to have sex in the law library on campus, lol); and then the two of them proceeding to have blisteringly hot but sweet sex. 

Note that the starred tag for Alternate Universe - College/University is my own; not that I think it matters a great deal, but this work is part of a series that all seem to fit within the same AU, where Yuuri and Viktor are age-swapped. I haven’t read the others in the series but I love pensversusswords’ writing style (Anticipation is another great fic of theirs), so I’m sure I’d love the other two as well.

Excerpt:

“You always do this to me,” he says breathily.

Viktor seems to gather himself at that point, straightening up a bit so he can rest his forearm on the bookshelf. “Do what, Yuuri?” he asks innocently, and Yuuri can tell that he’s trying to sound calm, but his voice is already taking on a familiar breathy, ragged cadence.

“Drive me insane,” Yuuri whispers, ducking his head down to kiss Viktor’s neck gently. He feels Viktor shiver slightly, and hears him exhale a shaky breath.

“Thought you weren’t interested,” Viktor gasps as Yuuri starts rolling his hips more, now with purpose. All the soft, involuntary sounds Viktor is making—paired with the firm warmth of his ass on Yuuri’s dick—are all making Yuuri harder by the second.

“I was teasing you,” Yuuri says matter-of-factly, with a purposeful gyration of his hips. “Just like you were teasing me.”

Viktor lets out a breathy laugh. “You caught me!” He doesn’t sound ashamed in the slightest.

Yuuri doesn’t bother trying to hide his smile sometime; he lets it be free and buries it in the crook of Viktor’s neck. “You aren’t very subtle, baby.”

“Guilty,” Viktor admits willingly. He gasps then when one of Yuuri’s hands finds its way under his sweater to press flat against the bare skin of his stomach. “Aren’t you scared of getting caught, my lovely Yuuri?”

“It’s one in the morning,” Yuuri reminds him, “and no one ever comes over here even in the middle of the day.”

“Right,” Viktor says, his voice sounding all distant and far away. Yuuri can tell that he’s not concerned in the slightest about getting caught.

“You don’t care, do you?”

Viktor shakes his head, not even hesitating for a moment. “If you had lube with you, I’d let you fuck me right here.”

This time, it’s Yuuri’s turn to let out a breathless, broken groan. “Viktor.”

“I would,” Viktor says, pushing his ass back more purposefully against Yuuri’s now painfully hard cock. “And you would do it, wouldn’t you?”

If you asked for it, anything, Yuuri thinks. “Yes,” he says out loud.

Viktor lets out a pitiful sound. “Yuuri~,” he whines, “we should always have lube!”

Yuuri laughs raggedly, the sound distant in his own ears through the fog of arousal. “Sorry, I’ll start keeping an emergency supply in my pencil case.”

“Good,” Viktor mumbles, “but that doesn’t help us now.”

As much as Yuuri wants to fuck him and give Viktor exactly what he wants, he knows there are other alternatives. “You’re so impatient,” Yuuri says. He willfully lets his voice slip into a slightly lower tone, one he uses on Viktor all the time when he wants to be gentle and firm all at once. “What have I told you about being patient?”

7) A Letter Changed It All (25K, by AuroraWillow, @strawberrytwilight)  - WIP

Relevant Ships/Tags: Viktor/Yuuri, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Fluff and Angst, First Meetings, Letters, Anxiety Attacks 

I love YOI stories in which Yuuri and Viktor meet as kids, because it’s always interesting to see how Viktor not being an idol figure to Yuuri -- or at least not being nearly as famous as we see in canon -- changes the dynamic. This fic begins when newly-wedded Yakov and Lilia make a visit to Hasetsu, at Minako’s invitation. Never one to beat around the bush when it comes to her friend, Minako asks Lilia for advice around Yuuri, who, even as a five year old, shows great promise when it comes to dance.

Yakov and Lilia both agree that Yuuri is very talented, though they’re divided on whether he should pursue dance or skating more seriously. Five years later, they personally invite Yuuri to attend one of their summer camps in St. Petersburg where they train both skaters and dancers, and it’s here that 10-year-old Yuuri and 12-year-old Viktor first meet. 

At first, Viktor feels threatened by the idea of Yuuri taking up some of Yakov and Lilia’s attention, but when he first sees Yuuri dance, he can’t help but appreciate his soft and poetic style…one that ensures he can’t look away from his movements. And in turn, Yuuri is impressed by Viktor’s dancing as well, though he suspects that Viktor’s strength and confidence would lend itself better to the ice, stylistically. 

When Viktor finally decides to take Georgi’s advice to go talk to Yuuri (instead of just staring at him, lol), they proceed to have a squeal-inducingly adorable though limited conversation in their halting, unsure English. After the camp ends, Yuuri gets Minako’s help to write Viktor a letter, enclosing one of the photos they took together during Yuuri’s time in Russia, which marks the beginning of their penpal relationship, which is absolutely precious.

One thing in particular that I really love about this story is how it handles the topic of Yuuri’s anxiety. I feel like it’s rare for me to see YOI fics where Yuuri ends up getting help in therapy before he ever comes to America, and as the below excerpt touches upon — which takes place during Viktor’s first visit to hang out with Yuuri in Hasetsu, at age 15, when he is slated to compete in the NHK Trophy — it’s uncharted territory, particularly in terms of how Viktor will react to learning about the role anxiety plays in his friend’s life.

Excerpt (from Chapter 6):

He distinctly remembered that his friend hated this much eye contact. The way Yuuri would glance away quickly and blush after talking too long was endearing. Now, being on the receiving end of an eager gaze unnerved Viktor.

           “You’re here early!” Yuuri stepped away and walked over to his sister whom he also hugged. Mari held him tightly and ruffled his hair when he pulled away. Yuuri pushed her shoulder with a laugh. It was a soft, genuine sound that felt familiar to Viktor… right?

           “Yeah, is that, um, okay?” Viktor managed, worried. Something wasn’t right. No, it wasn’t wrong exactly, just different. In the past, Yuuri’s excitement had an almost frantic energy. Like he was a pot bubbling over. Now he was an even simmer. Still happy, but less tense. Less nervous?

           “Yes, I’m glad you’re here!” Yuuri set those eyes on him again and smiled widely. He opened his mouth to say something else, but his mom popped her head through the kitchen door frame.

           “Dinner’s almost ready, go wash up Yuuri.” She grinned at him and waved a pair of tongs his way.

           “Okay mom. What are we having?” He smiled at her gesture and went to follow her request, walking towards the hall where the guest restroom was.

           “Katsudon.” She replied louder so he’d hear her from the other room.

           “Is that my post-therapy reward now?” He called over the sound of running water. Viktor scrunched his eyebrows when hearing it, making eye contact with Mari who also appeared surprised.

           “Oh” Mrs. Katsuki replied quietly, as shocked as her daughter. “For a little while at least. Too much of it and you’ll get sick.” She answered after a few moments.

           “Very true. I think the reward should be letting me finally adopt one of Yuuko’s kittens.” Yuuri walked into the room again with a face full of mirth. Mr. Katsuki followed behind him and placed a hand on his son’s head.

           “Hmm, I sense you trying to pull at our heartstrings, young man.” He chastised him before taking his place at the table. Yuuri grinned wider. Viktor wasn’t following this conversation well at all.

8) smoke and mirrors (5K, by grim_lupine)  - NSFW

Relevant Ships/Tags: Viktor/Yuuri, Dom/sub undertones, Age Regression/De-Aging, Established Relationship, Rimming

This post-canon fic involves age regression, specifically Yuuri and Viktor having sex while Viktor is inhabiting his 16-year-old body, though I’ll note that mentally, he is still an adult. If that bothers you, then I’d skip this one, but I personally feel the age regression in this story is a great vehicle to explore Viktor’s insecurities around aging (for whatever reason, I’ve been really craving stories on that topic lately so if this also sounds like it’s up your alley, feel free to comment and I can probably recommend others. One I read very recently is this one, by perennials).

Whenever I come across stories in which Yuuri braves his anxiety to address Viktor’s insecurities, it makes my heart sing, and this story contains not only really hot sex (the rimming scene…dear God), but also a very tender exchange where Yuuri does just that.

Excerpt:

He kneels on the bed between Viktor's legs, puts his hands on Viktor's thighs. “Do you know,” he says, skimming his hands slowly upward, “that I've wanted you since I knew what that even meant? To want someone?”

Viktor shifts; a stuttering breath escapes him, half-caught in his throat. Yuuri’s hands find the cut of Viktor's hips, linger there to feel the rapid tattoo of his pulse.

“And now,” Yuuri says, and laughs — a soft, disbelieving laugh. “It's all I think about some days, how beautiful you are. The way you look when you sleep, or when you skate. How strong your legs are, or your hands — god, your hands.” The hands in question flutter above Viktor's head like he wants to reach out, before he stills.

“And your mouth,” Yuuri murmurs, one hand sliding up to rest on Viktor's heart, “when you smile at me, or when you're pleased with yourself.”

Viktor turns his head to the side on his pillow so Yuuri can see the corded muscle in his neck. His mouth is pressed in a tight line, eyes screwed shut. Self-contained.

Yuuri gathers a fistful of his hair and pulls. Viktor's head turns, eyes flying open. They're brimming with tears that glitter on the thick spread of his lashes, spill down his cheeks as Yuuri watches.

Yuuri smiles. He hopes it looks, to Viktor, as tender as Yuuri feels. As hungry.

“The way you look when I make you cry,” Yuuri says softly, and bends his head to kiss the glistening tear tracks on Viktor's cheek, salt on his lips.

Viktor cries out, a low wounded noise. He is coming apart in front of Yuuri's eyes, like a wave breaking on sand. Yuuri will catch and contain the spill of him, help him pull himself back together again when they're finished.

“And do you know,” Yuuri whispers into Viktor's ear, steeling himself, “how much I love you?”

This part is harder, somehow: words of emotion over words of want. Yuuri can master his embarrassment when talking about all the ways he wants Viktor, wants to touch him, but with love — the instinct to curl around his own feelings and let no one see is an old habit, hard to break.

Lastly for Yuri On Ice recs, I’m linking one of my own smutty/fluffy multichapter WIPS, which explores Yuuri and Viktor trying out that whole “pretending to be strangers meeting for the first time at a bar” thing and seeing how well they can do with staying in character (you'll probably be unsurprised to read that they’re both quite bad at it, lol). Viktor takes on the alias of ‘Pantalaimon Hopplewell’, the “Living Legend” of paranormal investigation, while Yuuri takes on the alias of ‘Lee Scoresby’, the award-winning chef and owner of Pragma Kitchen. 

While I originally posted the story as a SFW one-shot back in January, I decided to raise the stakes of their “staying in character” game with a NSFW reprise. If you check it out, I hope you enjoy!

Below is an excerpt from the most recent chapter:

“Tell me Sonali: do you have any lighter drinks? I loved ‘Long Live The King’” – and here, Yuuri almost snorted because neither of them had been able to keep from breaking character in order to make the necessary JJ joke when they’d first scanned the menu – “but I’m afraid that I’m really feeling it, as you can probably tell from my cheeks!”

Viktor motioned at his flushed complexion before shooting Yuuri a sly look.

“Then again, perhaps this is just the blush of first love! I was lucky enough to meet the enchanting Lee Scoresby tonight, and from the moment he and I began chatting, I felt an instant connection. It’s like I have this need to stay close to him,” he shamelessly continued, prompting Yuuri to have to physically restrain himself from giving a playful tug on his ponytail.

“Yes, maybe something with barely any alcohol, Sonali,” Yuuri chimed in, giving his husband A Look. “Pantalaimon is already far too prone to cheesy compliments, and I have a feeling things will get even more saccharine unless he sobers up a bit.”

Sonali gave a lilting laugh while Viktor pouted. Meanwhile, Yuuri grinned into his own drink: a delicious combination of gin, Aperol, lemongrass, and lime leaf.

“Well, Pantalaimon, you’re in luck,” Sonali cheerfully supplied before pointing out the last entry on the menu. “The Kaleidoscope should do the trick, as the white rum and lychee are not too overbearing at all.”

Before Viktor could reply, Yuuri slid his credit card over the tabletop, making sure that the ‘Yuuri Katsuki-Nikiforov’ cardholder name side was facing down. 

“That sounds wonderful, and I’ll actually have one as well. This round is on me, by the way,” he spoke up authoritatively.

“Awww, I wanted to get it, Yuur–”

Viktor caught himself, but from the sheepish glance he gave him, it seemed that he knew that the slip-up would count towards the overall tally.

A glow of triumph nestled near Yuuri’s ribcage, because this error brought their “breaking character” game to a dead-heat, with 2 times each for the both of them. He shivered, remembering the terms he and his spouse had outlined for their scandalous bet: first one to 4 would be deemed the loser, in which case they were at the mercy of whatever the winner wanted to do to them, either in TRAX’s posh and spacious single-occupancy bathrooms or under cover of darkness on secluded Kathaluwa Beach, which abutted the hotel room they’d rented for the night.

Fruits Basket Recs

1) Lanterns: eram quod es, eris quod sum (7K, by crabandpeaches) 

Relevant Ships/Tags: Yuki/Machi, Yuki & Kakeru, Angst and Feels, Hurt/Comfort, Self Esteem Issues, Post-Canon

You may remember that I’ve recc’d this particular author before, and much like all of the other stories of theirs that I’ve read (all linked in my bookmarks), their most recent Fruits Basket fic is gorgeously written and moving. It focuses on Yuki’s post-canon evolution, specifically through the lens of his sharing with Machi about the curse/his past for the first time.

The story takes place in the midst of Yuki moving back to Tokyo after his graduation, and it’s during an unusually serious conversation with Kakeru that Yuki first gleans an understanding of how he’s perceived by anyone outside the family…specifically when Kakeru says: “You have a habit of saying the past doesn’t mean anything, but it looks like it means something to you, and it looks like you’re always holding something back.”

Due to a spitefully-motivated joke told by Shigure, Yuki/Ayame’s mother mistakenly gets the impression that Akito will be revoking the allowances that are typically given to all the parents of the zodiac members. Yuki is anticipating her call – especially because his mother knows how much closer he is to Akito now, post-curse than before – but what he is not anticipating is that Machi would have overheard his mother’s voicemail….a message that is full of details that are too disturbing to ignore. When Yuki is reluctant to explain the particulars of the voicemail as it relates to his family and the way the Sohmas run, it leads to a fight between the two of them.

And it’s only with Tohru’s intervention (with some assistance from Kakeru, lol) that Yuki is able to understand the disservice he’s doing himself by not sharing about his past with people like Kakeru and Machi, who clearly love him and want to be there for him. 

Excerpt:

As he moves to the other counter and opens a small box there, he asks, “So what brings you here in Kyoto? It’s a long way from here.”

But when Tohru doesn’t answer immediately, he turns to her and stiffens. She stares right at him, her eyes filled with selfless worry and a lack of judgment. But the fact that she even looks at him this way causes his shame to engulf him. Yuki hates this; he hates being in such a pathetic position to the point of Tohru concerning herself with him even though she lives so far away. And, as he stands here, wallowing in self-loathing, Yuki can only think of how much he hasn’t changed.

But then Tohru lifts a hand from her lap. With an open palm, she gestures Yuki to the seat next to hers, and Yuki widens his eyes. Now, she offers a warm smile, one that feels like the sun itself has wrapped gentle arms around him, and he feels the cold weight inside of him melt and loosen his body. He hesitates then walks over and slowly takes his seat beside Tohru. She turns her body to him.

“You’re very kind, Yuki-kun. But, sometimes, I become afraid. Sometimes, I worry that you don’t think of your well-being often. You sometimes put yourself on the back burner for everyone else. And I think that you don’t see yourself in the same light as we do.”

Yuki glares down at the countertop of the island. “I don’t think I’m as kind as you say I am.”

“You are, though.”

“If anyone told you something, please forget it. I feel bad that you’ve travelled all this way for something so silly–”

“It’s not silly.”

Yuki stiffens at the sternness of Tohru’s tone and lifts his head. He widens his eyes. She narrows her eyes with traces of annoyance peeking through, but it isn’t rooted in malice. She is offended somehow, but Yuki can also see the specks of hope within her frustration.

2) To Be Freed (25K, by TiffanyBriar) - WIP

Relevant Ships/Tags: Akito/Shigure, minor Akito/Kureno, Kidnapping, Depression, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence* 

This canon-divergent WIP takes place shortly after Rin is rescued from being locked up in the Cat’s House, and focuses on the impacts of Akito’s removal from the Sohma family via a kidnapping orchestrated by Ren. 

Prior to this event taking place, the first few chapters do a wonderful job of setting up the tense atmosphere within the family, which is largely due to Akito’s feelings of hurt/confusion around being “betrayed” by both Haru and Kureno (the former for physically standing up to her, and the latter for rescuing Rin). And while the majority of the family is contemplating Akito’s obvious emotional instability, it’s Kureno that sets things into motion when, during a “family dinner” at Shigure’s, he makes a desperate plea to the others: you don’t have to forgive Akito, but if you want true freedom, we can’t abandon our God, either. 

In the midst of Kureno making the case for hosting a family gathering to initiate a dialogue with Akito – a gathering which, importantly, would include Tohru – the truth of Akito’s real gender as well as Kureno’s curse break is revealed, which leaves many of the Sohmas, understandably, shocked. Much to Shigure’s displeasure, everyone, even Tohru, agrees to attend a family meeting. Later that same day, Ren meets the head of the Asami family, a direct rival to the Sohma corporation, and offers a tempting proposition: kidnap Akito, which will allow Ren to assume power, and thereby slowly start leaching influence from the Sohma corporation so that the Asamis can gain full control of the city. 

It’s probably best to go into this fic not knowing much more beyond this, but suffice it to say that this is a really gripping read so far, and I love the way emotions and dialogues between the characters are conveyed. Chapter 7 is particularly intense, which you’ll see from the excerpt below, which takes place during the family’s surprise banquet for Akito.

One thing I love about this confrontation is that unlike that New Year’s banquet where Akito strikes Yuki – a manga panel I think about constantly, wondering what might have happened if anyone had called Akito out, afterwards (I'm determined to write a canon divergent fic about this, one day) – it shows the Sohmas acting in solidarity. They rely on strength in numbers to say things to Akito that they’d never have the courage to, individually. As you can probably guess, she takes it very poorly...

Excerpt (from Chapter 7):

“We are all here today, Akito. Are you happy?” Yuki asked, raising his voice, though his body was shaking. “Do you think the people at this table know happiness? We’re prisoners, and so are you!”

“It’s your attitude that’s tainted our dream! We were happy before she came!” Akito shouted, pointing at Tohru, who lowered her head, ashamed and saddened to be the cause of Akito’s sorrow.

“This has nothing to do with Tohru,” Yuki exclaimed. “Don’t try to convince yourself it’s all her fault. I lived with you; I saw you cry! Don’t try to lie.”

“A lie? You’re the one lying to yourself, poor Yuki. How do you think you’ll find happiness in the outside world? What girl could bear to live without feeling the warmth of your body, without you holding her in your arms? This curse, this tale, makes you desired and divine within this family, but outside, you’re a monster—a rat!”

“Tohru accepts Kyo,” Haru interjected, his anger evident in each word, “and Kana loved Hatori before you hurt them.”

“That wasn’t my fault!” She trembled before Hatsuharu. Since he had once tried to strike her, he frightened her. But he belonged to her too. She had to show strength. “It could never have worked between them; it was an illusion.”

“The illusion is yours!” he shouted. “You say their love couldn’t exist, but what about Rin and me? Or Hiro and Kisa? Do you reject that too, out of selfishness?”

Akito didn’t know how to respond, but she shook her head. It was impossible; their love couldn’t exist—Rin and Haru, Hiro and Kisa… she and Shigure… everything was doomed to fail.

She looked up at Shigure. He still wasn’t looking at her, his arms crossed over his chest, eyes distant, as if this discussion didn’t concern him.

She could expect nothing from him. From anyone, for that matter.

“Akito,” Kureno said gently, “you’re trying to stop something irreversible.” He looked at her intently, trying to convey what he wanted to say. “When I was freed, there was nothing you could do. It pains you, but there’s nothing you can change,” his gaze seemed to say.

3) the tension and the terror (10K, by thisismydesignn) - NSFW

Relevant Ships/Tags: Haru/Rin, Haru/Yuki, Haru/Yuki/Rin, Post-Canon, Self Discovery, Polyamory, Love Confessions, Anal Sex, Vaginal Sex, 

Ok, so technically this is a reread for me, but it hits even better the second time around!

Let me start with the disclaimer that I love Machi, but gay Yuki is where it’s at. Considering that the relationship between Haru and Yuki drives me INSANE (and that Haru and Rin are my favorite Furuba couple, perhaps only rivaled by Ayame/Mine), it was a true joy when I first discovered such a lengthy and well-written fic in which Haru and Rin help Yuki on his journey of queer self-discovery. This story is not only very hot but is moving as well, and depicts all three navigating a polyamorous relationship (one where Haru/Yuki are dating one another and simultaneously Haru/Rin continue to date, not all 3 of them dating each other).

What begins as a half-joking phone call (in which Haru reacts to the admission that Yuki isn’t into girls by saying it’s cruel of Yuki to say such a thing when Haru isn’t nearby to “test” the theory with a kiss), later leads to Haru and Rin visiting Yuki while he’s away at college: an event that begins as a casual hangout, but then later brims with sexual tension. 

Prior to the actual visit, there’s several really lovely passages that illustrate what this fic gets at so well: trust. 

It’s evident that Yuki wouldn’t even consider trying out any kind of kissing or sexual experimentation if Haru wasn’t the one offering. As nervous as Yuki is to actually contemplate the idea of physical intimacy during the visit – especially with his worries that Rin will mind – what actually ends up happening feels very organic: it begins with just a kiss, which takes place with Rin also present. And immediately afterwards, Yuki is surprised that it’s Rin that interrupts the somewhat tense silence, by saying “He’s amazing, isn’t he?” 

That pride in her voice, like she’s happy to show Haru off takes Yuki by surprise, and once he and Haru have made out a bit more intensely, the flush on Rin’s cheeks is what really allows Yuki to realize that perhaps Rin actually enjoys seeing the two of them together.

While the sex scenes between Haru and Yuki are beautifully and compellingly written (note that there's also a great one in which Yuki observes Haru and Rin together), I think my favorite part of the fic actually occurs after Haru and Rin return home. There, they have a much needed conversation in which Haru tells Rin that he is in love with her AND that he never stopped loving Yuki (see excerpt below).

Excerpt: 

Haru looks like his mind is somewhere far away, like he’s trying to make sense of it, himself. “Sometimes I think it’s unfair,” he says, “The fact that I love two people this much. Selfish of me. Like I’m being greedy.” There’s no way you could ever be selfish enough to make up for the things you’ve done for us both, Rin wants to say. She lets him continue instead. 

“It’s not like we slept together and now I suddenly love him,” Haru says. “It just…brought it back to the forefront. I don’t think I ever stopped.” This, too, she’s known all along.

“I thought I’d hate seeing you with him—with anyone else,” Rin hears herself say, the words she’s been biting back all this time. “But you looked happy—and so beautiful—” and his hand covers hers completely, his fingers lacing between her own, and she lets him, “—and afterward, you still looked at me the same.” The thought of sharing Haru terrifies her, but she recognizes it now: that there are things Yuki can give him that she can’t, but also that Haru loves her in a way he can’t love Yuki.

“It’s lonelier than you’d think, huh?” Haru had said when the curse broke. They’d been part of a much larger puzzle, before; it stands to reason that they might need more pieces to make sense of the world, now. They don’t need to be the only things making one another complete.

“I guess what I’m saying is…if you want to try, the three of us—me and you, and you and him,” she’s quick to clarify, “If that’s something he wants, too, I’m...okay with that,” and even as she says it, she’s surprised to find—she means it.

“Can I kiss you?” Haru asks. He doesn’t often ask; Rin doesn’t often want him to, but in this moment, everything feels tentative, like they’re venturing into uncharted territory. This time, she appreciates it. “Please,” she says, her voice small but certain.

He does: kisses her like she’s all he could want, could need, and even if that’s not entirely true, Rin thinks, it’s okay. It’s not untrue, either.

4) The Heir (3K, by ryuunusuke (alysnpc)) - NSFW

Relevant Ships/Tags: Akito/Shigure, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Sohma Corp AU, Gender identity struggles, Dom/sub undertones, Power Imbalance, Dysfunctional Relationship, CEO Akito Sohma

Obviously, the Zodiac curse lays the foundation for Fruits Basket to work the way it does, but I occasionally come across a fic that doesn’t include anything about the family bonds, yet still manages to replicate canon dynamics in a way that still captures the core challenge in Furuba: feeling trapped, and lacking agency in knowing how to move forward with your life. This is one of those cases. 

This story is set within an AU where Akito is CEO of the Sohma business corporation, and in addition to having to hide her true gender, is beholden to all of her father’s wishes regarding how to live her life. This of course extends to her love life, because though her heart longs to be with Shigure, Kureno is the son of a man who would be advantageous to have within the Sohma Corp locus of control, and Akito is therefore forced to pretend to love him. 

This fic really leans into the dysfunctionality of Shigure and Akito’s relationship, and does it beautifully and INTENSELY. Similarly to the story above, there were some absolutely gorgeous turns of phrase, particularly during a confrontation scene between the two of them (which occurs shortly after Akito sees Shigure dining out with his editor, though at the time, she doesn’t know that the woman in question is Mitsuru). 

Excerpt:

Shigure was nearly ten years older when he first met her.

She had been sixteen—technically old enough to act like an adult, but still caged in a household where her father decided what she wore, what she said, who she could even look at. And Shigure, already in his mid-twenties, had that maddening calm. That voice that never rose above a murmur, even when she screamed. That soft, knowing look in his eyes that made her feel like maybe—just maybe—she was something beautiful, not just someone useful.

He wasn’t impressive. Not to anyone that mattered. He didn’t have money. He didn’t wear suits. He was an author—somewhat published, barely read, and thoroughly unimpressive to the world of stock portfolios and executive handshakes. Her father dismissed him the moment he learned his name. “Writers are beggars with a pen,” he’d said.

But Shigure looked at her like she was a secret he’d been waiting to discover.

He never flinched when she revealed her truth. Her body. The lie of masculinity her father forced her to wear like armor. Shigure hadn’t recoiled or questioned it. He didn’t ask why —he only looked at her as if he’d always known, and still thought she was something worth worshipping.

She clung to him like breath in a fire.

They met in secret. In dark corners of the Sohma estate. In bookstores on the outskirts of town. In the back of his tiny apartment, surrounded by books, ink, and the quiet safety of not being watched. He knew her. All of her.

Until he didn’t.

Kureno was different.

He was polished. Polite. The perfect son of an important man. His family owned real estate in two countries and had just made a deal with an international firm. Akito’s father wanted that name in his pocket. Wanted that empire to feed into Sohma Corp’s growth.

Akito had just turned nineteen when she met him. Old enough to attend business functions as her father’s shadow, but not yet powerful enough to say no.

Kureno was soft-spoken and inexperienced. He blushed when she touched his hand. He smiled like someone who didn’t yet know that love could be used as a weapon. He didn’t see the rot behind the garden walls.

Akito didn’t want him.