Yuuri Katsuki's fiancé, skater, poodle enthusiast

“Oh no, not at all, Selkies are pretty protective of their pups so if someone was really trying to steal one the pod would step in.” Yuuri explained.

“The pod works together to care for pups. My mom is often helping the pod’s mothers care for their pups. So there’s always someone with them to watch over them.”

“Oh no, not at all, Selkies are pretty protective of their pups so if someone was really trying to steal one the pod would step in.” Yuuri explained.

“The pod works together to care for pups. My mom is often helping the pod’s mothers care for their pups. So there’s always someone with them to watch over them.”

“Oh no, not at all, Selkies are pretty protective of their pups so if someone was really trying to steal one the pod would step in.” Yuuri explained.

“The pod works together to care for pups. My mom is often helping the pod’s mothers care for their pups. So there’s always someone with them to watch over them.”

“Oh no, not at all, Selkies are pretty protective of their pups so if someone was really trying to steal one the pod would step in.” Yuuri explained.

“The pod works together to care for pups. My mom is often helping the pod’s mothers care for their pups. So there’s always someone with them to watch over them.”

Yuri on the Web Pride Event

Short program: "In regards to love"

"Dreams"

They are each other's dream come true and they help each other realize dreams they never knew they wanted.

Life, Love.

(I imagine sometimes they have to go separate events and every time one returns the other always joyfully greets them.)

Viktor might have thought better of exploring unfamiliar waters, if he hadn’t always been sticking his nose where it didn’t belong since the day he was old enough to swim out from behind his mother’s fins. And here he was, suffering the consequences of his own actions. He’d gotten too close to one of the human fishing vessels when a wave hit it — sending boxes of cargo overboard, but also his current predicament: a large fishing net.

As entangled as he was, swimming was out of the question. He had struggled for so long that he had all but exhausted himself. So he settled at the bottom of the water, tucked into a reef for safety, hoping nothing would notice him until he again regained the ability to focus on getting out of the net tangled around him.

Netting tangled with the merman’s elegant opal fins, wrapped tightly around his powerful tail, kept his arms near his side with only a few inches of give. It was disorienting, and it was all he could do to tuck himself back and out of plain view.

He immediately scooped Haku up, pressing kisses to his chubby cheeks. “Ah, now who is this adorable little morsel? I could just eat~ him~ up~!” Viktor playfully mimed biting at the toddler’s arms and tummy, tickling him at the end.

Yuri watched Viktor with an odd expression. “….What have you guys done to his brain? It’s more melted than before. Somehow.”

——

Haku giggles bounced through the cove as he wiggled in Viktor’s hold. “No no uncle Vikchan! You can’t eat me!”

“What did I tell you, selkie toddlers are the cutest.” Yuuri chuckled.

Georgi thought he would be a tad more nervous.

It could be that he's thought of it a thousand times over the past year while healing from his complex breakup, or perhaps he's read the billing ledger too many times at the doctor's office for the various donors he could use. It could be anything, but for once, the prospect of asking his friend for assistance wasn't making his heart race, or his cheeks light up in red.

Instead, there's a glow about him as he stares out the coffee shop window, his warm spiced drink in his hands as he waits for Viktor to show. He has an important question for him, after all.

There's a bit of delight that the man is so eagerly optimistic about it, an inevitability that they'll for sure succeed with this odd friend arrangement. He smirks and reaches up to tug at one of his hairs that has come loose from the gel somewhere between their makeout session and the competition for who can finger the other one better.

The familiarity made this far more comfortable. They've had tons of conversations about their sex lives, enough so that the initial making out was just a thin barrier they barely worried of crossing. AT least, that's how he felt.

Now that they were naked and mutually relieved, it felt so natural.

He'll remember that.

"Mmm....I'm gonna have to make you feel like a very beautiful omega then~ Just leave it to me. You'll hear it a thousand times over the next few months, surely."

His hand strokes along Viktor's jawline, and he turns it to him, purposefully teasing.

An arm settles over Viktor’s shoulders, just something to ground himself.

Some people are too big, some too small, but in this moment, Viktor's gentle roll of hips press exactly where his fingers had pulled an orgasm out of him earlier. It made him wince in pleasure, accompanied by a whimper of delight.

A few words did escape, intelligible amongst the sounds that came with them. "Ah! hhhehhahhvit...vy....hahah!!" His legs lock around Viktor now, unable to stop himself now that his brain was going to mush.

Georgi surely is going to pass out before that.

“Mnn… the fuck me about it,” Viktor challenged, equal parts playful and challenging.

And if Georgi wanted to try and play with his chest… well. Two could play at this game.

A shuddered sigh leaves him, remembering that he was here for more than just pleasure.

Viktor groaned and thrust into the Omega again.

He’s spoiled rotten. Georgi looks down at those lovely nimble fingers, and his red face flushes again in color at the thought of sucking his own release off them. Though the rhythmic thrusting in time with their squeezing is enough to distract plenty, as his feeble orgasm was at his heels. He didn’t know if he would be able to cum like he has before, he didn’t know if there was much left in him.

His eyes roll again, head dipping and going fuzzy.

[CLOSED RP WITH @vkusno-viktor ]

That was not what Yuuri would have liked to hear.

“So, you’ve offered that basic course before. Do you have a copy of the curriculum we can review?”

The headmaster rolled back on her chair, opening one of the drawers on her desk, filing through it for a few moments. She pulled out a thin binder labeled, in English, ‘Kindergarden— Russian as Second Language’. Made for the parents of such children, who were probably not fully fluent in the language, either.

Thanking the woman, Yuuri opened the binder, leaning slightly over Shinobu on the smaller chair in order to review it with Viktor for a few moments.

He wanted to make sure any place they sent Shinobu would be safe. And he didn’t want the bigotry of self righteous idiots ruining that.

He also knew the question would likely be taken more seriously coming from him, unfortunately.

Madame Antonova seemed to be caught off-guard by Viktor’s question.

“The second language classes are the most diverse in the school. We have a no tolerance policy for bullying, and students are sent home and reprimanded as soon as anything gets reported. We don’t believe in treating our students differently. The core values we promote as an institution are important, regardless of your background.”

It was a dodging kind of no-answer.

“And what measures does the school take to promote that students get involved amongst themselves and in the community?”

“We have a calendar of extracurricular activities all year that are put together by the teachers to ensure the integration of all classes and programs. Some of those activities involve field trips to various locations in the city and visits by members of the community, as well. Would you like a tour of the school?”

Yuuri looked at Shinobu and Viktor, and nodded.

“Please, follow me.” She said, standing from her chair and opening her office door. Exiting the building, she led the way through a courtyard into another structure. “This is the kindergarden area. As I’m sure you know already, kindergarden is our youngest level and, depending on the student, can continue until ages six or seven.” She led them through a hallway where they could hear children talking and singing from different rooms. “And this is the Russian as a second language classroom.”

The headmaster knocked on the door and, after a few moments, a teacher emerged from the room.

“…Nice to meet you,” the boy replied in kind.

“Seeing the children’s faces when something finally clicks.” She looked at Viktor and Yuuri. “I’m from France and learned Russian as an adult, so I understand how challenging it can be.” She seemed genuine.

Yuuri watched Shinobu’s face light up at that. “How do you deal with the differences in fluency level between students?”

“I attune to the students’ style of learning to help them catch up. And offer extra tutoring to kids if they need that extra support. I also tutor adults.”

“I find that the 50/50 model works best in my classes, since I have kids with different native languages in the class. We work on reinforcing what needs work in the classroom every day, so I try not to give them more than two hours per week. With room for adjusting as needed depending on what works best with each student.”

The omega smiled at the staff, taking Shinobu’s other hand. “Thank you both for your time. We’re still weighing our options.”

“We’ll be in touch if the class opens up.” The director said. “Thank you, Madame.”

The teacher returned to her class. The older woman walked them back to the office and they made their way out of the school.

Once he deemed they were far enough away, Yuuri looked at Shinobu. “Did you like that school?”

Looking up at Yuuri, Shinobu shrugged. “Yeah,”

Viktor might have thought better of exploring unfamiliar waters, if he hadn’t always been sticking his nose where it didn’t belong since the day he was old enough to swim out from behind his mother’s fins. And here he was, suffering the consequences of his own actions. He’d gotten too close to one of the human fishing vessels when a wave hit it — sending boxes of cargo overboard, but also his current predicament: a large fishing net.

As entangled as he was, swimming was out of the question. He had struggled for so long that he had all but exhausted himself. So he settled at the bottom of the water, tucked into a reef for safety, hoping nothing would notice him until he again regained the ability to focus on getting out of the net tangled around him.

Netting tangled with the merman’s elegant opal fins, wrapped tightly around his powerful tail, kept his arms near his side with only a few inches of give. It was disorienting, and it was all he could do to tuck himself back and out of plain view.

——

“Oh poor Makka! I told mom to keep an eye out for them but with her and dad gone they must be so lonely.” Yuuri whined.

“I’m sure the seal pups are spoiling them.” Kara said putting away the rest of the food. “Alright then, let’s head back out.” He slipped on his skin and made his way to the water with Yuuri close behind.

Makkachin, it turned out, was indeed being spoiled by the other selkies — but was all too happy to join the trip in their impromptu swim.

Yuuri moved to gather their pod that was still in the water and away from Viktor just in case.

Until there was a break of water — loud, wild splashing, followed by frenzied mersong — a strange vocalization somewhere between singing and yelling, somehow, all in rapid-fire Russian.

“Пошёл на хуй, Витя! Слезай с меня, блядь! Ты, тупица, где тебя, на хуй, носило?! АЙ! Не кусай меня, сука!”

Apparently, Viktor did understand whatever language the angry little merman was spouting at him. Viktor growled, and pressed him more firmly against the rock. “Ты смерти ищешь? Ты хоть представляешь, как близко мы к человеческому поселению?”

The smaller mer squirmed, and smacked Viktor in the side with his thrashing tail. “Это ты нас бросил, чтобы пойти трахаться!”

“Viktor? Are you okay? You’re not hurt are you?” He asked reaching out with a partial hand, flipper to feel for any wounds.

Mari jumped into the water and began swimming towards them.

“You’re fucking crushing me,” the smaller mer huffed from beneath Viktor, glowering up at him. “Who the fuck is this?”

She launched herself on to the rock roaring before her skin began to peel back. “There better be a DAMN good reason you’d put yourself at risk Viktor. We are a pod for a reason, we protect each other. Especially when one of us is in a delicate state- like you currently are.” She growled looking between her brother’s mate and the younger mer. “And you.” Her dark eyes moved over him. “I’ve eaten bigger fish than you for a snack.” She hissed snapping her teeth. “You best be on your very best behavior before I decide to see what kind of fish a mer taste like.”

Kara whined, peaking up at her. She could be down right scary.

“I suggest you either take this to your private cove or our public cove. You are causing too much noise, the humans will start coming … With mom and dad out of town there’s no one here to keep them back.” Mari huffed, slipping back into her skin and back into the water making her way back to their rocky cove.

Yuri’s fins flared, his eyes bugging comically wide. “Wait wait wait. Our—You—Is that why your scent is like — with a fucking seal?!”

“Selkie.”

“HE’S A SEAL.”

“Mm, maybe right now. A very cute seal.”

“Oh my GOD Vitya!”

Viktor huffed — and unceremoniously shoved Yuri into the water. The younger mer landed in the water with an undignified squawk, and Viktor slid in after him, nudging the younger mer towards the private little cove they had shared.

Though when they arrived, Yuri looked like he had bit into a lemon as soon as they entered it. “You built a fucking bower here? What the fuck, Vitya.”

“Mmm, I wanted to woo my mates, so sue me.”

“I’ve never seen Mari so mad before …” Kara said softly. “It’s going to take a lot of bribing to get on her good side again.”

“Fuck you, Vitya!”

Viktor glowered at Yuri, who winced and looked away.

“I’m glad you’re both okay, mom is really the best one to deal with injuries and until she’s back we have to rely on Itsuki … which I don’t think either of you would want to do.” Yuuri warned. “I am sorry Yuri, had we known you’d be coming the pod would have welcomed you a bit warmer. Mari is-“

“She’s our older sister and pretty much pod leader. I’d stay clear of her for now, she’s pretty fond of Viktor and of course the fact he’s carrying doesn’t help. Selkie pods are very protective over our pregnant members.” Kara explained.

“Like how you bit dad for kissing mom while she was pregnant with Itsuki?” Yuuri teased.

“I’m honestly surprised she could tell already,” Viktor replied cheerfully, smiling that infuriatingly adorable heart-shaped smile.

“….Fucking hell, Vitya, you have one fucking season with a mate and you get knocked up in the first week?” Yuri pulled a face. “Fucking gross.”

“Mmm, no, is beautiful~ my Yuuri and Kawayuri ware amazing, they took such good care of me~” Viktor again nudged Yuuri’s neck.

“Not a mate, two mates … I would imagine it’s easier to get pregnant the more people you’re fucking.” Kara pointed out. “Wait, how old is this mer-Yuri? Should we even be talking about this in front of him? He’s not like a mer baby or toddler right?”

“He’s a few seasons from being an adult. Teenager is good term.” Viktor pinched Yuri’s cheek, grinning. “But he is baby of pod.”

“Go suck on a sea vent, Vitya.”

Viktor tutted. “Such language. You’ll never catch Beka’s eye talking like that.”

Yuri turned crimson, and swatted at Viktor’s tail. “Shut up! I’m not trying to catch anyone’s fucking eye!”

“Right.” Viktor tutted, settling onto a ledge in the grotto, his tail dangling in the water still. “So. About the rest of the pod.”

“They wouldn’t follow me.”

“Yes, they would, Yura. At the very least, they’ll send Gosha and Mila after you, and then you’ll have ruined mating season for Georgi and—“

“Anya dumped his ass. Frigid bitch.”

“….Oh, poor thing.” Viktor actually looked a little put-out for his former pod member. “Regardless — I doubt you covered your trail all that well.”

“Hmph. Says you. I made it here, didn’t I?”

“And it was stupid to do.”

“You came here alone!”

“She may not look scary as a human but trust me selkie bites aren’t something to swim off.” Kara warned. “Mari is just protective over those she considers part of her pod.”

“Yura. I told you when I left there was a chance I would be joining my mate’s pod—“

“And instead you got mixed up with selkies, living by a bunch of humans. You’re going to get yourself killed. You know we can’t trust them,” Yuri argued. “You said the pod was your family!”

“It is!”

“But you still left us!” Yuri accused brashly, fins flaring. “You chose them!” He gestured towards Yuuri and Kara, and for a moment, the selkies could have sworn the saw something close to tears in the younger mer’s eyes.

“Yura, that’s not true.”

Mari was pacing as she waited for another sign of them. She wasn’t thrilled to see just Yuuri and Kara. “Where’s Viktor and the other mer?”

“The younger mer is from Viktor’s birth pod … we may have more joining us, mers that is.” Yuuri explained as they got into the cove. “He came looking for Viktor, being as he’s just a teen they’ll likely come follow.”

Mari groaned. “Perfect, as long as they can keep a low profile … fuck … I’ll need to see if Itsuki can get a message to mom. We may have to consult the council, our numbers have stayed small enough here to not cause any issues but depending on how big Viktor’s birth pod is …”

Mari saw the pink and gold of Viktor’s fins in the water ages before he arrived at the colony’s home, leading a sullen looking teenaged mer.

Viktor came out of the water first, seating himself on the edge of the rocks. “Mari? Yuri has come to apologize. Haven’t you, Yura?” He looked pointedly towards the smaller mer, who mumbled softly. “…Louder, Yura.”

Yuri mumbled something, and approached one of the stock pools, pausing to select a fish. One of the pups sniffed at his tail curiously, eyes large and dark and wide.

Yuri let out a startled little sound at the cold, wet feeling of seal nose against his tail, and reflexively pulled his tail away. “Holy sh—“ he cut himself off, and stared down at the slowly blinking seal pup. “….What?” he finally asked, unnerved.

“He wants to cuddle,” Viktor replied.

“Cuddle?”

“I’m the only mer most of the pups have seen.”

“….Wait. His name is Yuri?”

“Mm~”

Yuri frowned, huffing. “…We can’t both be Yuri.”

“Mmm, well he’s older than you, so he had the name longer….”

“I’m not changing my name!”

“We could just use Yuratchka—“

“We should call him Yurio.” Mari chuckled as she moved to lift up Haku. “Baby, want to show your uncles your new trick?” She asked, easing the pup down.

He immediately scooped Haku up, pressing kisses to his chubby cheeks. “Ah, now who is this adorable little morsel? I could just eat~ him~ up~!” Viktor playfully mimed biting at the toddler’s arms and tummy, tickling him at the end.

Viktor might have thought better of exploring unfamiliar waters, if he hadn’t always been sticking his nose where it didn’t belong since the day he was old enough to swim out from behind his mother’s fins. And here he was, suffering the consequences of his own actions. He’d gotten too close to one of the human fishing vessels when a wave hit it — sending boxes of cargo overboard, but also his current predicament: a large fishing net.

As entangled as he was, swimming was out of the question. He had struggled for so long that he had all but exhausted himself. So he settled at the bottom of the water, tucked into a reef for safety, hoping nothing would notice him until he again regained the ability to focus on getting out of the net tangled around him.

Netting tangled with the merman’s elegant opal fins, wrapped tightly around his powerful tail, kept his arms near his side with only a few inches of give. It was disorienting, and it was all he could do to tuck himself back and out of plain view.

——

“Oh poor Makka! I told mom to keep an eye out for them but with her and dad gone they must be so lonely.” Yuuri whined.

“I’m sure the seal pups are spoiling them.” Kara said putting away the rest of the food. “Alright then, let’s head back out.” He slipped on his skin and made his way to the water with Yuuri close behind.

Makkachin, it turned out, was indeed being spoiled by the other selkies — but was all too happy to join the trip in their impromptu swim.

Yuuri moved to gather their pod that was still in the water and away from Viktor just in case.

Until there was a break of water — loud, wild splashing, followed by frenzied mersong — a strange vocalization somewhere between singing and yelling, somehow, all in rapid-fire Russian.

“Пошёл на хуй, Витя! Слезай с меня, блядь! Ты, тупица, где тебя, на хуй, носило?! АЙ! Не кусай меня, сука!”

Apparently, Viktor did understand whatever language the angry little merman was spouting at him. Viktor growled, and pressed him more firmly against the rock. “Ты смерти ищешь? Ты хоть представляешь, как близко мы к человеческому поселению?”

The smaller mer squirmed, and smacked Viktor in the side with his thrashing tail. “Это ты нас бросил, чтобы пойти трахаться!”

“Viktor? Are you okay? You’re not hurt are you?” He asked reaching out with a partial hand, flipper to feel for any wounds.

Mari jumped into the water and began swimming towards them.

“You’re fucking crushing me,” the smaller mer huffed from beneath Viktor, glowering up at him. “Who the fuck is this?”

She launched herself on to the rock roaring before her skin began to peel back. “There better be a DAMN good reason you’d put yourself at risk Viktor. We are a pod for a reason, we protect each other. Especially when one of us is in a delicate state- like you currently are.” She growled looking between her brother’s mate and the younger mer. “And you.” Her dark eyes moved over him. “I’ve eaten bigger fish than you for a snack.” She hissed snapping her teeth. “You best be on your very best behavior before I decide to see what kind of fish a mer taste like.”

Kara whined, peaking up at her. She could be down right scary.

“I suggest you either take this to your private cove or our public cove. You are causing too much noise, the humans will start coming … With mom and dad out of town there’s no one here to keep them back.” Mari huffed, slipping back into her skin and back into the water making her way back to their rocky cove.

Yuri’s fins flared, his eyes bugging comically wide. “Wait wait wait. Our—You—Is that why your scent is like — with a fucking seal?!”

“Selkie.”

“HE’S A SEAL.”

“Mm, maybe right now. A very cute seal.”

“Oh my GOD Vitya!”

Viktor huffed — and unceremoniously shoved Yuri into the water. The younger mer landed in the water with an undignified squawk, and Viktor slid in after him, nudging the younger mer towards the private little cove they had shared.

Though when they arrived, Yuri looked like he had bit into a lemon as soon as they entered it. “You built a fucking bower here? What the fuck, Vitya.”

“Mmm, I wanted to woo my mates, so sue me.”

“I’ve never seen Mari so mad before …” Kara said softly. “It’s going to take a lot of bribing to get on her good side again.”

“Fuck you, Vitya!”

Viktor glowered at Yuri, who winced and looked away.

“I’m glad you’re both okay, mom is really the best one to deal with injuries and until she’s back we have to rely on Itsuki … which I don’t think either of you would want to do.” Yuuri warned. “I am sorry Yuri, had we known you’d be coming the pod would have welcomed you a bit warmer. Mari is-“

“She’s our older sister and pretty much pod leader. I’d stay clear of her for now, she’s pretty fond of Viktor and of course the fact he’s carrying doesn’t help. Selkie pods are very protective over our pregnant members.” Kara explained.

“Like how you bit dad for kissing mom while she was pregnant with Itsuki?” Yuuri teased.

“I’m honestly surprised she could tell already,” Viktor replied cheerfully, smiling that infuriatingly adorable heart-shaped smile.

“….Fucking hell, Vitya, you have one fucking season with a mate and you get knocked up in the first week?” Yuri pulled a face. “Fucking gross.”

“Mmm, no, is beautiful~ my Yuuri and Kawayuri ware amazing, they took such good care of me~” Viktor again nudged Yuuri’s neck.

“Not a mate, two mates … I would imagine it’s easier to get pregnant the more people you’re fucking.” Kara pointed out. “Wait, how old is this mer-Yuri? Should we even be talking about this in front of him? He’s not like a mer baby or toddler right?”

“He’s a few seasons from being an adult. Teenager is good term.” Viktor pinched Yuri’s cheek, grinning. “But he is baby of pod.”

“Go suck on a sea vent, Vitya.”

Viktor tutted. “Such language. You’ll never catch Beka’s eye talking like that.”

Yuri turned crimson, and swatted at Viktor’s tail. “Shut up! I’m not trying to catch anyone’s fucking eye!”

“Right.” Viktor tutted, settling onto a ledge in the grotto, his tail dangling in the water still. “So. About the rest of the pod.”

“They wouldn’t follow me.”

“Yes, they would, Yura. At the very least, they’ll send Gosha and Mila after you, and then you’ll have ruined mating season for Georgi and—“

“Anya dumped his ass. Frigid bitch.”

“….Oh, poor thing.” Viktor actually looked a little put-out for his former pod member. “Regardless — I doubt you covered your trail all that well.”

“Hmph. Says you. I made it here, didn’t I?”

“And it was stupid to do.”

“You came here alone!”

“She may not look scary as a human but trust me selkie bites aren’t something to swim off.” Kara warned. “Mari is just protective over those she considers part of her pod.”

“Yura. I told you when I left there was a chance I would be joining my mate’s pod—“

“And instead you got mixed up with selkies, living by a bunch of humans. You’re going to get yourself killed. You know we can’t trust them,” Yuri argued. “You said the pod was your family!”

“It is!”

“But you still left us!” Yuri accused brashly, fins flaring. “You chose them!” He gestured towards Yuuri and Kara, and for a moment, the selkies could have sworn the saw something close to tears in the younger mer’s eyes.

“Yura, that’s not true.”

Mari was pacing as she waited for another sign of them. She wasn’t thrilled to see just Yuuri and Kara. “Where’s Viktor and the other mer?”

“The younger mer is from Viktor’s birth pod … we may have more joining us, mers that is.” Yuuri explained as they got into the cove. “He came looking for Viktor, being as he’s just a teen they’ll likely come follow.”

Mari groaned. “Perfect, as long as they can keep a low profile … fuck … I’ll need to see if Itsuki can get a message to mom. We may have to consult the council, our numbers have stayed small enough here to not cause any issues but depending on how big Viktor’s birth pod is …”

Mari saw the pink and gold of Viktor’s fins in the water ages before he arrived at the colony’s home, leading a sullen looking teenaged mer.

Viktor came out of the water first, seating himself on the edge of the rocks. “Mari? Yuri has come to apologize. Haven’t you, Yura?” He looked pointedly towards the smaller mer, who mumbled softly. “…Louder, Yura.”

Yuri mumbled something, and approached one of the stock pools, pausing to select a fish. One of the pups sniffed at his tail curiously, eyes large and dark and wide.

Yuri let out a startled little sound at the cold, wet feeling of seal nose against his tail, and reflexively pulled his tail away. “Holy sh—“ he cut himself off, and stared down at the slowly blinking seal pup. “….What?” he finally asked, unnerved.

“He wants to cuddle,” Viktor replied.

“Cuddle?”

“I’m the only mer most of the pups have seen.”

“….Wait. His name is Yuri?”

“Mm~”

Yuri frowned, huffing. “…We can’t both be Yuri.”

“Mmm, well he’s older than you, so he had the name longer….”

“I’m not changing my name!”

“We could just use Yuratchka—“

[CLOSED RP WITH @vkusno-viktor ]

That was not what Yuuri would have liked to hear.

“So, you’ve offered that basic course before. Do you have a copy of the curriculum we can review?”

The headmaster rolled back on her chair, opening one of the drawers on her desk, filing through it for a few moments. She pulled out a thin binder labeled, in English, ‘Kindergarden— Russian as Second Language’. Made for the parents of such children, who were probably not fully fluent in the language, either.

Thanking the woman, Yuuri opened the binder, leaning slightly over Shinobu on the smaller chair in order to review it with Viktor for a few moments.

He wanted to make sure any place they sent Shinobu would be safe. And he didn’t want the bigotry of self righteous idiots ruining that.

He also knew the question would likely be taken more seriously coming from him, unfortunately.

Madame Antonova seemed to be caught off-guard by Viktor’s question.

“The second language classes are the most diverse in the school. We have a no tolerance policy for bullying, and students are sent home and reprimanded as soon as anything gets reported. We don’t believe in treating our students differently. The core values we promote as an institution are important, regardless of your background.”

It was a dodging kind of no-answer.

“And what measures does the school take to promote that students get involved amongst themselves and in the community?”

“We have a calendar of extracurricular activities all year that are put together by the teachers to ensure the integration of all classes and programs. Some of those activities involve field trips to various locations in the city and visits by members of the community, as well. Would you like a tour of the school?”

Yuuri looked at Shinobu and Viktor, and nodded.

“Please, follow me.” She said, standing from her chair and opening her office door. Exiting the building, she led the way through a courtyard into another structure. “This is the kindergarden area. As I’m sure you know already, kindergarden is our youngest level and, depending on the student, can continue until ages six or seven.” She led them through a hallway where they could hear children talking and singing from different rooms. “And this is the Russian as a second language classroom.”

The headmaster knocked on the door and, after a few moments, a teacher emerged from the room.

“…Nice to meet you,” the boy replied in kind.

“Seeing the children’s faces when something finally clicks.” She looked at Viktor and Yuuri. “I’m from France and learned Russian as an adult, so I understand how challenging it can be.” She seemed genuine.

Yuuri watched Shinobu’s face light up at that. “How do you deal with the differences in fluency level between students?”

“I attune to the students’ style of learning to help them catch up. And offer extra tutoring to kids if they need that extra support. I also tutor adults.”

Viktor might have thought better of exploring unfamiliar waters, if he hadn’t always been sticking his nose where it didn’t belong since the day he was old enough to swim out from behind his mother’s fins. And here he was, suffering the consequences of his own actions. He’d gotten too close to one of the human fishing vessels when a wave hit it — sending boxes of cargo overboard, but also his current predicament: a large fishing net.

As entangled as he was, swimming was out of the question. He had struggled for so long that he had all but exhausted himself. So he settled at the bottom of the water, tucked into a reef for safety, hoping nothing would notice him until he again regained the ability to focus on getting out of the net tangled around him.

Netting tangled with the merman’s elegant opal fins, wrapped tightly around his powerful tail, kept his arms near his side with only a few inches of give. It was disorienting, and it was all he could do to tuck himself back and out of plain view.

——

“Oh poor Makka! I told mom to keep an eye out for them but with her and dad gone they must be so lonely.” Yuuri whined.

“I’m sure the seal pups are spoiling them.” Kara said putting away the rest of the food. “Alright then, let’s head back out.” He slipped on his skin and made his way to the water with Yuuri close behind.

Makkachin, it turned out, was indeed being spoiled by the other selkies — but was all too happy to join the trip in their impromptu swim.

Yuuri moved to gather their pod that was still in the water and away from Viktor just in case.

Until there was a break of water — loud, wild splashing, followed by frenzied mersong — a strange vocalization somewhere between singing and yelling, somehow, all in rapid-fire Russian.

“Пошёл на хуй, Витя! Слезай с меня, блядь! Ты, тупица, где тебя, на хуй, носило?! АЙ! Не кусай меня, сука!”

Apparently, Viktor did understand whatever language the angry little merman was spouting at him. Viktor growled, and pressed him more firmly against the rock. “Ты смерти ищешь? Ты хоть представляешь, как близко мы к человеческому поселению?”

The smaller mer squirmed, and smacked Viktor in the side with his thrashing tail. “Это ты нас бросил, чтобы пойти трахаться!”

“Viktor? Are you okay? You’re not hurt are you?” He asked reaching out with a partial hand, flipper to feel for any wounds.

Mari jumped into the water and began swimming towards them.

“You’re fucking crushing me,” the smaller mer huffed from beneath Viktor, glowering up at him. “Who the fuck is this?”

She launched herself on to the rock roaring before her skin began to peel back. “There better be a DAMN good reason you’d put yourself at risk Viktor. We are a pod for a reason, we protect each other. Especially when one of us is in a delicate state- like you currently are.” She growled looking between her brother’s mate and the younger mer. “And you.” Her dark eyes moved over him. “I’ve eaten bigger fish than you for a snack.” She hissed snapping her teeth. “You best be on your very best behavior before I decide to see what kind of fish a mer taste like.”

Kara whined, peaking up at her. She could be down right scary.

“I suggest you either take this to your private cove or our public cove. You are causing too much noise, the humans will start coming … With mom and dad out of town there’s no one here to keep them back.” Mari huffed, slipping back into her skin and back into the water making her way back to their rocky cove.

Yuri’s fins flared, his eyes bugging comically wide. “Wait wait wait. Our—You—Is that why your scent is like — with a fucking seal?!”

“Selkie.”

“HE’S A SEAL.”

“Mm, maybe right now. A very cute seal.”

“Oh my GOD Vitya!”

Viktor huffed — and unceremoniously shoved Yuri into the water. The younger mer landed in the water with an undignified squawk, and Viktor slid in after him, nudging the younger mer towards the private little cove they had shared.

Though when they arrived, Yuri looked like he had bit into a lemon as soon as they entered it. “You built a fucking bower here? What the fuck, Vitya.”

“Mmm, I wanted to woo my mates, so sue me.”

“I’ve never seen Mari so mad before …” Kara said softly. “It’s going to take a lot of bribing to get on her good side again.”

“Fuck you, Vitya!”

Viktor glowered at Yuri, who winced and looked away.

“I’m glad you’re both okay, mom is really the best one to deal with injuries and until she’s back we have to rely on Itsuki … which I don’t think either of you would want to do.” Yuuri warned. “I am sorry Yuri, had we known you’d be coming the pod would have welcomed you a bit warmer. Mari is-“

“She’s our older sister and pretty much pod leader. I’d stay clear of her for now, she’s pretty fond of Viktor and of course the fact he’s carrying doesn’t help. Selkie pods are very protective over our pregnant members.” Kara explained.

“Like how you bit dad for kissing mom while she was pregnant with Itsuki?” Yuuri teased.

“I’m honestly surprised she could tell already,” Viktor replied cheerfully, smiling that infuriatingly adorable heart-shaped smile.

“….Fucking hell, Vitya, you have one fucking season with a mate and you get knocked up in the first week?” Yuri pulled a face. “Fucking gross.”

“Mmm, no, is beautiful~ my Yuuri and Kawayuri ware amazing, they took such good care of me~” Viktor again nudged Yuuri’s neck.

“Not a mate, two mates … I would imagine it’s easier to get pregnant the more people you’re fucking.” Kara pointed out. “Wait, how old is this mer-Yuri? Should we even be talking about this in front of him? He’s not like a mer baby or toddler right?”

“He’s a few seasons from being an adult. Teenager is good term.” Viktor pinched Yuri’s cheek, grinning. “But he is baby of pod.”

“Go suck on a sea vent, Vitya.”

Viktor tutted. “Such language. You’ll never catch Beka’s eye talking like that.”

Yuri turned crimson, and swatted at Viktor’s tail. “Shut up! I’m not trying to catch anyone’s fucking eye!”

“Right.” Viktor tutted, settling onto a ledge in the grotto, his tail dangling in the water still. “So. About the rest of the pod.”

“They wouldn’t follow me.”

“Yes, they would, Yura. At the very least, they’ll send Gosha and Mila after you, and then you’ll have ruined mating season for Georgi and—“

“Anya dumped his ass. Frigid bitch.”

“….Oh, poor thing.” Viktor actually looked a little put-out for his former pod member. “Regardless — I doubt you covered your trail all that well.”

“Hmph. Says you. I made it here, didn’t I?”

“And it was stupid to do.”

“You came here alone!”

“She may not look scary as a human but trust me selkie bites aren’t something to swim off.” Kara warned. “Mari is just protective over those she considers part of her pod.”

“Yura. I told you when I left there was a chance I would be joining my mate’s pod—“

“And instead you got mixed up with selkies, living by a bunch of humans. You’re going to get yourself killed. You know we can’t trust them,” Yuri argued. “You said the pod was your family!”

“It is!”

“But you still left us!” Yuri accused brashly, fins flaring. “You chose them!” He gestured towards Yuuri and Kara, and for a moment, the selkies could have sworn the saw something close to tears in the younger mer’s eyes.

“Yura, that’s not true.”

Mari was pacing as she waited for another sign of them. She wasn’t thrilled to see just Yuuri and Kara. “Where’s Viktor and the other mer?”

“The younger mer is from Viktor’s birth pod … we may have more joining us, mers that is.” Yuuri explained as they got into the cove. “He came looking for Viktor, being as he’s just a teen they’ll likely come follow.”

Mari groaned. “Perfect, as long as they can keep a low profile … fuck … I’ll need to see if Itsuki can get a message to mom. We may have to consult the council, our numbers have stayed small enough here to not cause any issues but depending on how big Viktor’s birth pod is …”

Mari saw the pink and gold of Viktor’s fins in the water ages before he arrived at the colony’s home, leading a sullen looking teenaged mer.

Viktor came out of the water first, seating himself on the edge of the rocks. “Mari? Yuri has come to apologize. Haven’t you, Yura?” He looked pointedly towards the smaller mer, who mumbled softly. “…Louder, Yura.”

Yuri mumbled something, and approached one of the stock pools, pausing to select a fish. One of the pups sniffed at his tail curiously, eyes large and dark and wide.

Yuri let out a startled little sound at the cold, wet feeling of seal nose against his tail, and reflexively pulled his tail away. “Holy sh—“ he cut himself off, and stared down at the slowly blinking seal pup. “….What?” he finally asked, unnerved.

“He wants to cuddle,” Viktor replied.

“Cuddle?”

“I’m the only mer most of the pups have seen.”

Viktor might have thought better of exploring unfamiliar waters, if he hadn’t always been sticking his nose where it didn’t belong since the day he was old enough to swim out from behind his mother’s fins. And here he was, suffering the consequences of his own actions. He’d gotten too close to one of the human fishing vessels when a wave hit it — sending boxes of cargo overboard, but also his current predicament: a large fishing net.

As entangled as he was, swimming was out of the question. He had struggled for so long that he had all but exhausted himself. So he settled at the bottom of the water, tucked into a reef for safety, hoping nothing would notice him until he again regained the ability to focus on getting out of the net tangled around him.

Netting tangled with the merman’s elegant opal fins, wrapped tightly around his powerful tail, kept his arms near his side with only a few inches of give. It was disorienting, and it was all he could do to tuck himself back and out of plain view.

——

“Oh poor Makka! I told mom to keep an eye out for them but with her and dad gone they must be so lonely.” Yuuri whined.

“I’m sure the seal pups are spoiling them.” Kara said putting away the rest of the food. “Alright then, let’s head back out.” He slipped on his skin and made his way to the water with Yuuri close behind.

Makkachin, it turned out, was indeed being spoiled by the other selkies — but was all too happy to join the trip in their impromptu swim.

Yuuri moved to gather their pod that was still in the water and away from Viktor just in case.

Until there was a break of water — loud, wild splashing, followed by frenzied mersong — a strange vocalization somewhere between singing and yelling, somehow, all in rapid-fire Russian.

“Пошёл на хуй, Витя! Слезай с меня, блядь! Ты, тупица, где тебя, на хуй, носило?! АЙ! Не кусай меня, сука!”

Apparently, Viktor did understand whatever language the angry little merman was spouting at him. Viktor growled, and pressed him more firmly against the rock. “Ты смерти ищешь? Ты хоть представляешь, как близко мы к человеческому поселению?”

The smaller mer squirmed, and smacked Viktor in the side with his thrashing tail. “Это ты нас бросил, чтобы пойти трахаться!”

“Viktor? Are you okay? You’re not hurt are you?” He asked reaching out with a partial hand, flipper to feel for any wounds.

Mari jumped into the water and began swimming towards them.

“You’re fucking crushing me,” the smaller mer huffed from beneath Viktor, glowering up at him. “Who the fuck is this?”

She launched herself on to the rock roaring before her skin began to peel back. “There better be a DAMN good reason you’d put yourself at risk Viktor. We are a pod for a reason, we protect each other. Especially when one of us is in a delicate state- like you currently are.” She growled looking between her brother’s mate and the younger mer. “And you.” Her dark eyes moved over him. “I’ve eaten bigger fish than you for a snack.” She hissed snapping her teeth. “You best be on your very best behavior before I decide to see what kind of fish a mer taste like.”

Kara whined, peaking up at her. She could be down right scary.

“I suggest you either take this to your private cove or our public cove. You are causing too much noise, the humans will start coming … With mom and dad out of town there’s no one here to keep them back.” Mari huffed, slipping back into her skin and back into the water making her way back to their rocky cove.

Yuri’s fins flared, his eyes bugging comically wide. “Wait wait wait. Our—You—Is that why your scent is like — with a fucking seal?!”

“Selkie.”

“HE’S A SEAL.”

“Mm, maybe right now. A very cute seal.”

“Oh my GOD Vitya!”

Viktor huffed — and unceremoniously shoved Yuri into the water. The younger mer landed in the water with an undignified squawk, and Viktor slid in after him, nudging the younger mer towards the private little cove they had shared.

Though when they arrived, Yuri looked like he had bit into a lemon as soon as they entered it. “You built a fucking bower here? What the fuck, Vitya.”

“Mmm, I wanted to woo my mates, so sue me.”

“I’ve never seen Mari so mad before …” Kara said softly. “It’s going to take a lot of bribing to get on her good side again.”

“Fuck you, Vitya!”

Viktor glowered at Yuri, who winced and looked away.

“I’m glad you’re both okay, mom is really the best one to deal with injuries and until she’s back we have to rely on Itsuki … which I don’t think either of you would want to do.” Yuuri warned. “I am sorry Yuri, had we known you’d be coming the pod would have welcomed you a bit warmer. Mari is-“

“She’s our older sister and pretty much pod leader. I’d stay clear of her for now, she’s pretty fond of Viktor and of course the fact he’s carrying doesn’t help. Selkie pods are very protective over our pregnant members.” Kara explained.

“Like how you bit dad for kissing mom while she was pregnant with Itsuki?” Yuuri teased.

“I’m honestly surprised she could tell already,” Viktor replied cheerfully, smiling that infuriatingly adorable heart-shaped smile.

“….Fucking hell, Vitya, you have one fucking season with a mate and you get knocked up in the first week?” Yuri pulled a face. “Fucking gross.”

“Mmm, no, is beautiful~ my Yuuri and Kawayuri ware amazing, they took such good care of me~” Viktor again nudged Yuuri’s neck.

“Not a mate, two mates … I would imagine it’s easier to get pregnant the more people you’re fucking.” Kara pointed out. “Wait, how old is this mer-Yuri? Should we even be talking about this in front of him? He’s not like a mer baby or toddler right?”

“He’s a few seasons from being an adult. Teenager is good term.” Viktor pinched Yuri’s cheek, grinning. “But he is baby of pod.”

“Go suck on a sea vent, Vitya.”

Viktor tutted. “Such language. You’ll never catch Beka’s eye talking like that.”

Yuri turned crimson, and swatted at Viktor’s tail. “Shut up! I’m not trying to catch anyone’s fucking eye!”

“Right.” Viktor tutted, settling onto a ledge in the grotto, his tail dangling in the water still. “So. About the rest of the pod.”

“They wouldn’t follow me.”

“Yes, they would, Yura. At the very least, they’ll send Gosha and Mila after you, and then you’ll have ruined mating season for Georgi and—“

“Anya dumped his ass. Frigid bitch.”

“….Oh, poor thing.” Viktor actually looked a little put-out for his former pod member. “Regardless — I doubt you covered your trail all that well.”

“Hmph. Says you. I made it here, didn’t I?”

“And it was stupid to do.”

“You came here alone!”

“She may not look scary as a human but trust me selkie bites aren’t something to swim off.” Kara warned. “Mari is just protective over those she considers part of her pod.”

“Yura. I told you when I left there was a chance I would be joining my mate’s pod—“

“And instead you got mixed up with selkies, living by a bunch of humans. You’re going to get yourself killed. You know we can’t trust them,” Yuri argued. “You said the pod was your family!”

“It is!”

“But you still left us!” Yuri accused brashly, fins flaring. “You chose them!” He gestured towards Yuuri and Kara, and for a moment, the selkies could have sworn the saw something close to tears in the younger mer’s eyes.

“Yura, that’s not true.”

Mari was pacing as she waited for another sign of them. She wasn’t thrilled to see just Yuuri and Kara. “Where’s Viktor and the other mer?”

“The younger mer is from Viktor’s birth pod … we may have more joining us, mers that is.” Yuuri explained as they got into the cove. “He came looking for Viktor, being as he’s just a teen they’ll likely come follow.”

Mari groaned. “Perfect, as long as they can keep a low profile … fuck … I’ll need to see if Itsuki can get a message to mom. We may have to consult the council, our numbers have stayed small enough here to not cause any issues but depending on how big Viktor’s birth pod is …”

Mari saw the pink and gold of Viktor’s fins in the water ages before he arrived at the colony’s home, leading a sullen looking teenaged mer.

Viktor came out of the water first, seating himself on the edge of the rocks. “Mari? Yuri has come to apologize. Haven’t you, Yura?” He looked pointedly towards the smaller mer, who mumbled softly. “…Louder, Yura.”

Viktor might have thought better of exploring unfamiliar waters, if he hadn’t always been sticking his nose where it didn’t belong since the day he was old enough to swim out from behind his mother’s fins. And here he was, suffering the consequences of his own actions. He’d gotten too close to one of the human fishing vessels when a wave hit it — sending boxes of cargo overboard, but also his current predicament: a large fishing net.

As entangled as he was, swimming was out of the question. He had struggled for so long that he had all but exhausted himself. So he settled at the bottom of the water, tucked into a reef for safety, hoping nothing would notice him until he again regained the ability to focus on getting out of the net tangled around him.

Netting tangled with the merman’s elegant opal fins, wrapped tightly around his powerful tail, kept his arms near his side with only a few inches of give. It was disorienting, and it was all he could do to tuck himself back and out of plain view.

——

“Oh poor Makka! I told mom to keep an eye out for them but with her and dad gone they must be so lonely.” Yuuri whined.

“I’m sure the seal pups are spoiling them.” Kara said putting away the rest of the food. “Alright then, let’s head back out.” He slipped on his skin and made his way to the water with Yuuri close behind.

Makkachin, it turned out, was indeed being spoiled by the other selkies — but was all too happy to join the trip in their impromptu swim.

Yuuri moved to gather their pod that was still in the water and away from Viktor just in case.

Until there was a break of water — loud, wild splashing, followed by frenzied mersong — a strange vocalization somewhere between singing and yelling, somehow, all in rapid-fire Russian.

“Пошёл на хуй, Витя! Слезай с меня, блядь! Ты, тупица, где тебя, на хуй, носило?! АЙ! Не кусай меня, сука!”

Apparently, Viktor did understand whatever language the angry little merman was spouting at him. Viktor growled, and pressed him more firmly against the rock. “Ты смерти ищешь? Ты хоть представляешь, как близко мы к человеческому поселению?”

The smaller mer squirmed, and smacked Viktor in the side with his thrashing tail. “Это ты нас бросил, чтобы пойти трахаться!”

“Viktor? Are you okay? You’re not hurt are you?” He asked reaching out with a partial hand, flipper to feel for any wounds.

Mari jumped into the water and began swimming towards them.

“You’re fucking crushing me,” the smaller mer huffed from beneath Viktor, glowering up at him. “Who the fuck is this?”

She launched herself on to the rock roaring before her skin began to peel back. “There better be a DAMN good reason you’d put yourself at risk Viktor. We are a pod for a reason, we protect each other. Especially when one of us is in a delicate state- like you currently are.” She growled looking between her brother’s mate and the younger mer. “And you.” Her dark eyes moved over him. “I’ve eaten bigger fish than you for a snack.” She hissed snapping her teeth. “You best be on your very best behavior before I decide to see what kind of fish a mer taste like.”

Kara whined, peaking up at her. She could be down right scary.

“I suggest you either take this to your private cove or our public cove. You are causing too much noise, the humans will start coming … With mom and dad out of town there’s no one here to keep them back.” Mari huffed, slipping back into her skin and back into the water making her way back to their rocky cove.

Yuri’s fins flared, his eyes bugging comically wide. “Wait wait wait. Our—You—Is that why your scent is like — with a fucking seal?!”

“Selkie.”

“HE’S A SEAL.”

“Mm, maybe right now. A very cute seal.”

“Oh my GOD Vitya!”

Viktor huffed — and unceremoniously shoved Yuri into the water. The younger mer landed in the water with an undignified squawk, and Viktor slid in after him, nudging the younger mer towards the private little cove they had shared.

Though when they arrived, Yuri looked like he had bit into a lemon as soon as they entered it. “You built a fucking bower here? What the fuck, Vitya.”

“Mmm, I wanted to woo my mates, so sue me.”

“I’ve never seen Mari so mad before …” Kara said softly. “It’s going to take a lot of bribing to get on her good side again.”

“Fuck you, Vitya!”

Viktor glowered at Yuri, who winced and looked away.

“I’m glad you’re both okay, mom is really the best one to deal with injuries and until she’s back we have to rely on Itsuki … which I don’t think either of you would want to do.” Yuuri warned. “I am sorry Yuri, had we known you’d be coming the pod would have welcomed you a bit warmer. Mari is-“

“She’s our older sister and pretty much pod leader. I’d stay clear of her for now, she’s pretty fond of Viktor and of course the fact he’s carrying doesn’t help. Selkie pods are very protective over our pregnant members.” Kara explained.

“Like how you bit dad for kissing mom while she was pregnant with Itsuki?” Yuuri teased.

“I’m honestly surprised she could tell already,” Viktor replied cheerfully, smiling that infuriatingly adorable heart-shaped smile.

“….Fucking hell, Vitya, you have one fucking season with a mate and you get knocked up in the first week?” Yuri pulled a face. “Fucking gross.”

“Mmm, no, is beautiful~ my Yuuri and Kawayuri ware amazing, they took such good care of me~” Viktor again nudged Yuuri’s neck.

“Not a mate, two mates … I would imagine it’s easier to get pregnant the more people you’re fucking.” Kara pointed out. “Wait, how old is this mer-Yuri? Should we even be talking about this in front of him? He’s not like a mer baby or toddler right?”

“He’s a few seasons from being an adult. Teenager is good term.” Viktor pinched Yuri’s cheek, grinning. “But he is baby of pod.”

“Go suck on a sea vent, Vitya.”

Viktor tutted. “Such language. You’ll never catch Beka’s eye talking like that.”

Yuri turned crimson, and swatted at Viktor’s tail. “Shut up! I’m not trying to catch anyone’s fucking eye!”

“Right.” Viktor tutted, settling onto a ledge in the grotto, his tail dangling in the water still. “So. About the rest of the pod.”

“They wouldn’t follow me.”

“Yes, they would, Yura. At the very least, they’ll send Gosha and Mila after you, and then you’ll have ruined mating season for Georgi and—“

“Anya dumped his ass. Frigid bitch.”

“….Oh, poor thing.” Viktor actually looked a little put-out for his former pod member. “Regardless — I doubt you covered your trail all that well.”

“Hmph. Says you. I made it here, didn’t I?”

“And it was stupid to do.”

“You came here alone!”

“She may not look scary as a human but trust me selkie bites aren’t something to swim off.” Kara warned. “Mari is just protective over those she considers part of her pod.”

“Yura. I told you when I left there was a chance I would be joining my mate’s pod—“

“And instead you got mixed up with selkies, living by a bunch of humans. You’re going to get yourself killed. You know we can’t trust them,” Yuri argued. “You said the pod was your family!”

“It is!”

“But you still left us!” Yuri accused brashly, fins flaring. “You chose them!” He gestured towards Yuuri and Kara, and for a moment, the selkies could have sworn the saw something close to tears in the younger mer’s eyes.

“Yura, that’s not true.”

Viktor might have thought better of exploring unfamiliar waters, if he hadn’t always been sticking his nose where it didn’t belong since the day he was old enough to swim out from behind his mother’s fins. And here he was, suffering the consequences of his own actions. He’d gotten too close to one of the human fishing vessels when a wave hit it — sending boxes of cargo overboard, but also his current predicament: a large fishing net.

As entangled as he was, swimming was out of the question. He had struggled for so long that he had all but exhausted himself. So he settled at the bottom of the water, tucked into a reef for safety, hoping nothing would notice him until he again regained the ability to focus on getting out of the net tangled around him.

Netting tangled with the merman’s elegant opal fins, wrapped tightly around his powerful tail, kept his arms near his side with only a few inches of give. It was disorienting, and it was all he could do to tuck himself back and out of plain view.

——

“Oh poor Makka! I told mom to keep an eye out for them but with her and dad gone they must be so lonely.” Yuuri whined.

“I’m sure the seal pups are spoiling them.” Kara said putting away the rest of the food. “Alright then, let’s head back out.” He slipped on his skin and made his way to the water with Yuuri close behind.

Makkachin, it turned out, was indeed being spoiled by the other selkies — but was all too happy to join the trip in their impromptu swim.

Yuuri moved to gather their pod that was still in the water and away from Viktor just in case.

Until there was a break of water — loud, wild splashing, followed by frenzied mersong — a strange vocalization somewhere between singing and yelling, somehow, all in rapid-fire Russian.

“Пошёл на хуй, Витя! Слезай с меня, блядь! Ты, тупица, где тебя, на хуй, носило?! АЙ! Не кусай меня, сука!”

Apparently, Viktor did understand whatever language the angry little merman was spouting at him. Viktor growled, and pressed him more firmly against the rock. “Ты смерти ищешь? Ты хоть представляешь, как близко мы к человеческому поселению?”

The smaller mer squirmed, and smacked Viktor in the side with his thrashing tail. “Это ты нас бросил, чтобы пойти трахаться!”

“Viktor? Are you okay? You’re not hurt are you?” He asked reaching out with a partial hand, flipper to feel for any wounds.

Mari jumped into the water and began swimming towards them.

“You’re fucking crushing me,” the smaller mer huffed from beneath Viktor, glowering up at him. “Who the fuck is this?”

She launched herself on to the rock roaring before her skin began to peel back. “There better be a DAMN good reason you’d put yourself at risk Viktor. We are a pod for a reason, we protect each other. Especially when one of us is in a delicate state- like you currently are.” She growled looking between her brother’s mate and the younger mer. “And you.” Her dark eyes moved over him. “I’ve eaten bigger fish than you for a snack.” She hissed snapping her teeth. “You best be on your very best behavior before I decide to see what kind of fish a mer taste like.”

Kara whined, peaking up at her. She could be down right scary.

“I suggest you either take this to your private cove or our public cove. You are causing too much noise, the humans will start coming … With mom and dad out of town there’s no one here to keep them back.” Mari huffed, slipping back into her skin and back into the water making her way back to their rocky cove.

Yuri’s fins flared, his eyes bugging comically wide. “Wait wait wait. Our—You—Is that why your scent is like — with a fucking seal?!”

“Selkie.”

“HE’S A SEAL.”

“Mm, maybe right now. A very cute seal.”

“Oh my GOD Vitya!”

Viktor huffed — and unceremoniously shoved Yuri into the water. The younger mer landed in the water with an undignified squawk, and Viktor slid in after him, nudging the younger mer towards the private little cove they had shared.

Though when they arrived, Yuri looked like he had bit into a lemon as soon as they entered it. “You built a fucking bower here? What the fuck, Vitya.”

“Mmm, I wanted to woo my mates, so sue me.”

“I’ve never seen Mari so mad before …” Kara said softly. “It’s going to take a lot of bribing to get on her good side again.”

“Fuck you, Vitya!”

Viktor glowered at Yuri, who winced and looked away.

“I’m glad you’re both okay, mom is really the best one to deal with injuries and until she’s back we have to rely on Itsuki … which I don’t think either of you would want to do.” Yuuri warned. “I am sorry Yuri, had we known you’d be coming the pod would have welcomed you a bit warmer. Mari is-“

“She’s our older sister and pretty much pod leader. I’d stay clear of her for now, she’s pretty fond of Viktor and of course the fact he’s carrying doesn’t help. Selkie pods are very protective over our pregnant members.” Kara explained.

“Like how you bit dad for kissing mom while she was pregnant with Itsuki?” Yuuri teased.

“I’m honestly surprised she could tell already,” Viktor replied cheerfully, smiling that infuriatingly adorable heart-shaped smile.

“….Fucking hell, Vitya, you have one fucking season with a mate and you get knocked up in the first week?” Yuri pulled a face. “Fucking gross.”

“Mmm, no, is beautiful~ my Yuuri and Kawayuri ware amazing, they took such good care of me~” Viktor again nudged Yuuri’s neck.

“Not a mate, two mates … I would imagine it’s easier to get pregnant the more people you’re fucking.” Kara pointed out. “Wait, how old is this mer-Yuri? Should we even be talking about this in front of him? He’s not like a mer baby or toddler right?”

“He’s a few seasons from being an adult. Teenager is good term.” Viktor pinched Yuri’s cheek, grinning. “But he is baby of pod.”

“Go suck on a sea vent, Vitya.”

Viktor tutted. “Such language. You’ll never catch Beka’s eye talking like that.”

Yuri turned crimson, and swatted at Viktor’s tail. “Shut up! I’m not trying to catch anyone’s fucking eye!”

“Right.” Viktor tutted, settling onto a ledge in the grotto, his tail dangling in the water still. “So. About the rest of the pod.”

“They wouldn’t follow me.”

“Yes, they would, Yura. At the very least, they’ll send Gosha and Mila after you, and then you’ll have ruined mating season for Georgi and—“

“Anya dumped his ass. Frigid bitch.”

“….Oh, poor thing.” Viktor actually looked a little put-out for his former pod member. “Regardless — I doubt you covered your trail all that well.”

“Hmph. Says you. I made it here, didn’t I?”

“And it was stupid to do.”

“You came here alone!”

Viktor might have thought better of exploring unfamiliar waters, if he hadn’t always been sticking his nose where it didn’t belong since the day he was old enough to swim out from behind his mother’s fins. And here he was, suffering the consequences of his own actions. He’d gotten too close to one of the human fishing vessels when a wave hit it — sending boxes of cargo overboard, but also his current predicament: a large fishing net.

As entangled as he was, swimming was out of the question. He had struggled for so long that he had all but exhausted himself. So he settled at the bottom of the water, tucked into a reef for safety, hoping nothing would notice him until he again regained the ability to focus on getting out of the net tangled around him.

Netting tangled with the merman’s elegant opal fins, wrapped tightly around his powerful tail, kept his arms near his side with only a few inches of give. It was disorienting, and it was all he could do to tuck himself back and out of plain view.

——

“Oh poor Makka! I told mom to keep an eye out for them but with her and dad gone they must be so lonely.” Yuuri whined.

“I’m sure the seal pups are spoiling them.” Kara said putting away the rest of the food. “Alright then, let’s head back out.” He slipped on his skin and made his way to the water with Yuuri close behind.

Makkachin, it turned out, was indeed being spoiled by the other selkies — but was all too happy to join the trip in their impromptu swim.

Yuuri moved to gather their pod that was still in the water and away from Viktor just in case.

Until there was a break of water — loud, wild splashing, followed by frenzied mersong — a strange vocalization somewhere between singing and yelling, somehow, all in rapid-fire Russian.

“Пошёл на хуй, Витя! Слезай с меня, блядь! Ты, тупица, где тебя, на хуй, носило?! АЙ! Не кусай меня, сука!”

Apparently, Viktor did understand whatever language the angry little merman was spouting at him. Viktor growled, and pressed him more firmly against the rock. “Ты смерти ищешь? Ты хоть представляешь, как близко мы к человеческому поселению?”

The smaller mer squirmed, and smacked Viktor in the side with his thrashing tail. “Это ты нас бросил, чтобы пойти трахаться!”

“Viktor? Are you okay? You’re not hurt are you?” He asked reaching out with a partial hand, flipper to feel for any wounds.

Mari jumped into the water and began swimming towards them.

“You’re fucking crushing me,” the smaller mer huffed from beneath Viktor, glowering up at him. “Who the fuck is this?”

She launched herself on to the rock roaring before her skin began to peel back. “There better be a DAMN good reason you’d put yourself at risk Viktor. We are a pod for a reason, we protect each other. Especially when one of us is in a delicate state- like you currently are.” She growled looking between her brother’s mate and the younger mer. “And you.” Her dark eyes moved over him. “I’ve eaten bigger fish than you for a snack.” She hissed snapping her teeth. “You best be on your very best behavior before I decide to see what kind of fish a mer taste like.”

Kara whined, peaking up at her. She could be down right scary.

“I suggest you either take this to your private cove or our public cove. You are causing too much noise, the humans will start coming … With mom and dad out of town there’s no one here to keep them back.” Mari huffed, slipping back into her skin and back into the water making her way back to their rocky cove.

Yuri’s fins flared, his eyes bugging comically wide. “Wait wait wait. Our—You—Is that why your scent is like — with a fucking seal?!”

“Selkie.”

“HE’S A SEAL.”

“Mm, maybe right now. A very cute seal.”

“Oh my GOD Vitya!”

Viktor huffed — and unceremoniously shoved Yuri into the water. The younger mer landed in the water with an undignified squawk, and Viktor slid in after him, nudging the younger mer towards the private little cove they had shared.

Though when they arrived, Yuri looked like he had bit into a lemon as soon as they entered it. “You built a fucking bower here? What the fuck, Vitya.”

“Mmm, I wanted to woo my mates, so sue me.”

“I’ve never seen Mari so mad before …” Kara said softly. “It’s going to take a lot of bribing to get on her good side again.”

“Fuck you, Vitya!”

Viktor glowered at Yuri, who winced and looked away.

“I’m glad you’re both okay, mom is really the best one to deal with injuries and until she’s back we have to rely on Itsuki … which I don’t think either of you would want to do.” Yuuri warned. “I am sorry Yuri, had we known you’d be coming the pod would have welcomed you a bit warmer. Mari is-“

“She’s our older sister and pretty much pod leader. I’d stay clear of her for now, she’s pretty fond of Viktor and of course the fact he’s carrying doesn’t help. Selkie pods are very protective over our pregnant members.” Kara explained.

“Like how you bit dad for kissing mom while she was pregnant with Itsuki?” Yuuri teased.

“I’m honestly surprised she could tell already,” Viktor replied cheerfully, smiling that infuriatingly adorable heart-shaped smile.

“….Fucking hell, Vitya, you have one fucking season with a mate and you get knocked up in the first week?” Yuri pulled a face. “Fucking gross.”

“Mmm, no, is beautiful~ my Yuuri and Kawayuri ware amazing, they took such good care of me~” Viktor again nudged Yuuri’s neck.

Viktor might have thought better of exploring unfamiliar waters, if he hadn’t always been sticking his nose where it didn’t belong since the day he was old enough to swim out from behind his mother’s fins. And here he was, suffering the consequences of his own actions. He’d gotten too close to one of the human fishing vessels when a wave hit it — sending boxes of cargo overboard, but also his current predicament: a large fishing net.

As entangled as he was, swimming was out of the question. He had struggled for so long that he had all but exhausted himself. So he settled at the bottom of the water, tucked into a reef for safety, hoping nothing would notice him until he again regained the ability to focus on getting out of the net tangled around him.

Netting tangled with the merman’s elegant opal fins, wrapped tightly around his powerful tail, kept his arms near his side with only a few inches of give. It was disorienting, and it was all he could do to tuck himself back and out of plain view.

——

“Oh poor Makka! I told mom to keep an eye out for them but with her and dad gone they must be so lonely.” Yuuri whined.

“I’m sure the seal pups are spoiling them.” Kara said putting away the rest of the food. “Alright then, let’s head back out.” He slipped on his skin and made his way to the water with Yuuri close behind.

Makkachin, it turned out, was indeed being spoiled by the other selkies — but was all too happy to join the trip in their impromptu swim.

Yuuri moved to gather their pod that was still in the water and away from Viktor just in case.

Until there was a break of water — loud, wild splashing, followed by frenzied mersong — a strange vocalization somewhere between singing and yelling, somehow, all in rapid-fire Russian.

“Пошёл на хуй, Витя! Слезай с меня, блядь! Ты, тупица, где тебя, на хуй, носило?! АЙ! Не кусай меня, сука!”

Apparently, Viktor did understand whatever language the angry little merman was spouting at him. Viktor growled, and pressed him more firmly against the rock. “Ты смерти ищешь? Ты хоть представляешь, как близко мы к человеческому поселению?”

The smaller mer squirmed, and smacked Viktor in the side with his thrashing tail. “Это ты нас бросил, чтобы пойти трахаться!”

“Viktor? Are you okay? You’re not hurt are you?” He asked reaching out with a partial hand, flipper to feel for any wounds.

Mari jumped into the water and began swimming towards them.

“You’re fucking crushing me,” the smaller mer huffed from beneath Viktor, glowering up at him. “Who the fuck is this?”

She launched herself on to the rock roaring before her skin began to peel back. “There better be a DAMN good reason you’d put yourself at risk Viktor. We are a pod for a reason, we protect each other. Especially when one of us is in a delicate state- like you currently are.” She growled looking between her brother’s mate and the younger mer. “And you.” Her dark eyes moved over him. “I’ve eaten bigger fish than you for a snack.” She hissed snapping her teeth. “You best be on your very best behavior before I decide to see what kind of fish a mer taste like.”

Kara whined, peaking up at her. She could be down right scary.

“I suggest you either take this to your private cove or our public cove. You are causing too much noise, the humans will start coming … With mom and dad out of town there’s no one here to keep them back.” Mari huffed, slipping back into her skin and back into the water making her way back to their rocky cove.

Yuri’s fins flared, his eyes bugging comically wide. “Wait wait wait. Our—You—Is that why your scent is like — with a fucking seal?!”

“Selkie.”

“HE’S A SEAL.”

“Mm, maybe right now. A very cute seal.”

“Oh my GOD Vitya!”

Viktor huffed — and unceremoniously shoved Yuri into the water. The younger mer landed in the water with an undignified squawk, and Viktor slid in after him, nudging the younger mer towards the private little cove they had shared.

Though when they arrived, Yuri looked like he had bit into a lemon as soon as they entered it. “You built a fucking bower here? What the fuck, Vitya.”

“Mmm, I wanted to woo my mates, so sue me.”

“I’ve never seen Mari so mad before …” Kara said softly. “It’s going to take a lot of bribing to get on her good side again.”

“Fuck you, Vitya!”

Viktor glowered at Yuri, who winced and looked away.