#implied phichimetti

happy holidays!!

Meanwhile, on the other side of the chalet, Viktor finds Chris lounging in the library with a mug of something spiced and warm. 

“Mulled wine?” asks Chris. “They’re making some in the kitchen.”

Viktor shakes his head. “Maybe later,” he suggests, as he turns towards the tree in the library. Each room with a Christmas tree has ornaments themed to the room, so the one in the library has paper chains and fan ornaments made out of disused books. 

It’s been a while since he’d been to one of the Giacometti family charity galas, but the ones he had gone to have all been extremely elaborate affairs, filled with live music, good food, and free-flowing champagne. He and Chris had danced through most of those evenings, and now…

“Must be strange, having me here but not… you know.” Viktor gestures between them. Chris raises an eyebrow, before chuckling.

“No, not really,” he says. “You’re my friend. The benefits were nice while they were there, but…” He trails off, looking into his mug of wine. “You and Yuuri are good together, though. Who’d have known, though, after Sochi?”

Viktor laughs. “We’re lucky that way, I guess,” he says. “I said as much over text, but – I’m sorry to hear about Masumi.”

Chris waves a hand. “He was sweet; we’re also still friends.” Still, his expression is downcast, and he doesn’t look at Viktor. “We can’t all find the one wrapped around a pole at a banquet in Sochi, can we?”

“You know perfectly well I’ve had just as many failed relationships as you,” Viktor replies. Most of his had been centered around people being more enraptured with the matryoshka-like layers of fame and glory than the man tucked within, but Chris of all people would already know about that. 

Chris sighs, hazel eyes looking up and boring into Viktor’s own. “Let’s not think too hard about that,” he suggests. “It’s your birthday tomorrow; what would you like to do?”

Viktor wags an eyebrow. “That’s between me and Yuuri,” he says, grinning. Chris chuckles at that. 

“Fair,” he concedes. “But are you sure you don’t want my help? We could drive into town and find some nice ribbons to truss yourself up in.”

Viktor snorts. “Usually on one’s birthday, it’s the partner who gets gift-wrapped.”

“We all know you like it the other way around,” replies Chris, rolling his eyes, and well. Viktor can’t argue with that. 

“And what about you?” he asks. “Do you have your eyes set on anyone here?”

Two spots of colour appear in Chris’s cheeks. “If I did, I wouldn’t tell you,” he replies, and that piques Viktor’s interest. 

“Really.” He leans in, dials up the puppy eyes. “Why not? You said we’re friends, right?”

Chris coughs at that. “Come on, Vik, just drop it.”

“You pried out all of the details about my and Yuuri’s sex life; it’s only fair I hear more about yours,” retorts Viktor.

Chris’s cheeks only darken at that. “Okay, fine, you get one yes-no question.”

Viktor grins gleefully. “Are they at this party?” 

Chris purses his lips. And then he nods, and if it wouldn’t have given the entire game away, Viktor would’ve punched the air. 

It’s just a one in… however many guests that aren’t family or him and Yuuri chance that it’s Phichit, after all. And Viktor does rather like playing with long odds.