Angel

Chapter 1

The call came shortly before midnight, and Yuuri was the one to answer the phone.

"Hello?" His Russian had much improved in the past four years he'd been living with his husband in Russia, but he still preferred Viktor to answer the phone. The other man was still in the bathroom taking a much needed shower. Viktor had been retired for a couple years, now focusing solely on coaching Yuuri, but at the end of the day he needed a hot shower just as much as the skater.

"Hello, is this the Nikiforov residence?" an unfamiliar woman's voice responded. Yuuri frowned.

"Yes, this is Yuuri Nikiforov. May I ask who's calling?"

"This is Mrs. Lodovskya. I'm a case worker with Children's Ombudsman."

Yuuri sat up straighter in bed, throwing his feet over the side and clutching the phone. "Oh?" he said awkwardly. "What is this about?"

"I'm sorry for calling so late. I do hope I haven't disturbed you," the woman said, sounding harried. "I've been trying to call various foster families, but you're the first who has answered. I called six other families before you, you know."

"What's going on?" Viktor asked as he came into the bedroom from their en suite bathroom, clad only in a towel wrapped around his waist, his silver hair slicked back away from his face.

Yuuri waved a hand at him and mouthed "I don't know" before saying to the woman "It's no trouble. What can we do for you?"

"I'm trying to place a young boy. We were just now able to retrieve him from his home. His grandfather does not wish him to be placed in a group home as he is so young, but I'm running out of available families."

"How young is he?"

Viktor looked at him quizzically. "Foster kid," Yuuri mouthed, and his Viktor's eyes brightened.

"He's three, but he seems very... quiet. Well-behaved."

"I see." Yuuri watched Viktor change into pajamas.

"To be blunt with you, Mr. Nikiforov," the woman continued, "I really need to get him placed somewhere tonight. I understand if you can't take him on such short notice, especially as I can see from your file that you've never fostered before, but it's getting so late, and little Yuri's so tired, and I have my own family waiting for me at home."

"I understand." Yuuri looked over to Viktor who was kneeling next to him on the bed, his sharp face so hopeful and excited. He wanted kids. They both did. A little baby to hold in their arms and complete their family, but it never seemed like the right time. They spent a lot of time away from home, either practicing at the rink or traveling for competitions. An infant who didn't sleep through the night and required constant care and supervision didn't fit into that lifestyle. So they had decided to wait until Yuuri was ready to retire. Fostering, they thought, would be alright. They could take on an older child who could look after himself for the most part, when Yuuri's schedule wasn't so hectic. Besides, they could always say no when the time came.

But the time had come, and Yuuri found himself saying "Yes, we can take him. Viktor and I would be happy to have him stay with us."

The skater had barely gotten off the phone when Viktor attacked him with a kiss.

"Oh, Yuuri!" he sighed when he finally came up for air. "I'm so excited! I'm so happy! I thought you would say no." He was radiant, flushed with excitement. His blue eyes sparkled.

"I thought I would too," Yuuri grinned back. "I know it's not the best time, but he needs us. It doesn't matter if it's a good time or not."

Viktor beamed at him. "My Yuuri, such a softie. A boy, you said. When are we getting him? How old is he? What's his name?"