Chapter Text
Dominic collapsed in the passenger seat of Yuri’s car. “I can’t believe I forgot my date clothes.” He sighed dramatically. “Thanks for driving me. Camila is already mad that we’re going to be late. I couldn’t imagine if she had to wait on me to take the tube.”
“What’s wrong with what you were wearing?” Yuri asked.
“We’re going to Casa Carlotta.” Dominic said.
Yuri nodded in understanding. It’s a high end restaurant and anyone going there would want to look their best or be in danger of not being let in. It was also the type of place where you could only be so late. Of course, Dominic would be taking Camila there. It’s not that Yuri didn’t like her, but he knew her personality. She expected a lot from a mate and was going to get it.
“You’re lucky you caught me before I left the house.” Yuri said jovially.
“Are you going somewhere?” Dominic asked intrigued.
“I am going to pick up Anya from her bus stop. I agreed to watch her tonight.” Yuri said making a left turn.
“Wow. Look at you playing uncle.” Dominic teased. “I take it things are better between you and the brother-in-law if you’re willing to watch the pup while they go on a date.”
Yuri made a face and shrugged. “I only did it because Yor asked.” he said. “And Anya isn’t a bad pup. She can be a bit of an odd duck, but for the most part she is okay.”
“You’ve told me stories.” Dominic laughed. “I should convince Camila to throw a dinner party just your family and us. I would love to see Anya in action and to actually talk to Loid when he isn’t bloodied from one of his patients. And Camila could finally meet you. She asks about you from time to time.”
“Why would she ask about me?” Yuri asked.
“Yor showed everyone at work a picture of you two one day.” Dominic said. “And she knows we’re friends. So, I guess it’s about due time that I did introduce you guys to each other.”
Yuri thought back to the party Camila had thrown months ago. He mentally marks it as the last time his relationship with Yor was normal. He hated to admit how strained it had become ever since he learned about her having a husband, who he originally thought was just a date to said party. Granted, it was well after the party he found out about Loid, but still. He hadn’t talked to her since the week of that party because of how crazy work had been. And now with the current situation...Yuri was just uncomfortable with certain implications that’s he’s been suspicious of ever since he talked to both Yor and Loid separately. He just hopes they work it out.
“Hey, Yuri.” He heard Dominic’s voice.
“Yeah?” he said. “Sorry. I was just thinking.”
“Is everything okay?” Dominic asked. “You seem a little out of it.”
Yuri sighed and debated on actually saying what he said next, “Loid is pregnant.”
Dominic’s eyes widened and he said, “He’s going to have a pup? Yor’s going to be a mother?” he was more excited than the expecting couple. “Is that why Yor left early today? When Camila heard that you were giving me a quick ride home, she asked me to ask you about it.”
“Please don’t tell Camila.” Yuri stressed. “I don’t know who all Yor and Loid want knowing just yet.”
“You can count on me! You all must be so excited” Dominic said. Then his smile faded. “Oh...uh...how do you feel about it?”
Yuri smiled. “I am very excited. My mind immediately jumped to the thought of seeing my sister holding a pup of her own in her arms, looking just like her.”
Dominic gave a small smile. “That’s good.” he said. He cleared his throat. “This is Loid’s second round. Regardless, I bet he is just as happy. Though probably a little scared.”
Yuri nodded and then stopped. He looked at Dominic. “Why scared?”
“Well, he is an omega who has already had a mate, with whom he had a pup. I make no judgements about what happened there.” Dominic said. “Loid said that Yor must have found it difficult to say she was married to him for that reason. I assumed that’s why no one knew at the time.”
There is a lot of social stigma around omegas and marriage. The world was designed for omegas to be married. If they weren’t it affected their ability to do almost anything from getting higher education (or even basic depending on their background), housing, jobs (and mostly seen as a secondary income even if they had a higher paying position, which was rare.) ...everything depended on them being married. Most unmarried omegas stayed with their parents until they found a mate if they were lucky. The unlucky ones could either find themselves in a very bad situation unless they found a mate fast. And it got worse if omegas were single parents no matter the reason behind it.
Yuri hadn’t even considered that. Even hearing about Loid’s fear of possibly being a single parent of two pups... Yuri just dismissed the idea because it seemed so illogical. His previous mate didn’t walk out on him. She died. And Yor would never walk out on him. Loid’s reaction to finding out he was pregnant most likely had nothing to do with his current marriage. It was trauma from his time of being a single omega with a pup.
“I’m sorry.” Dominic said. “That is none of my business.”
“No.” Yuri said. “You just made me realize that I need to apologize to my sister.” Granted, he still stands by the fact that Yor should have talked with Loid about his strange behavior, but he probably made her feel insecure about her marriage for no reason. “I said something very stupid and presumptuous earlier.”
“Yuri.” Dominic sounded disapproving. “You need to work on whatever it is you have against Loid. He does seem like such a great guy. And Yor seems so much happier now that everyone knows.”
“Actually, Loid and I have been doing a lot better.” He said. “I was just being an idiot to my sister.”
He certainly hoped that Loid and Yor worked it out. Yes, Yuri comforted Loid the night before telling him that he has family he can depend on now. For an omega, it’s not the same as when it comes from a mate. Yor just needs to reassure Loid that everything will be fine and then they can move on and be a happy family. Yuri knows that it’s not that simple, but it would be a step in the right direction.
“That’s so good to hear!” Dominic said cheerfully. “Not that you were being an idiot to Yor, but I am glad that you and Loid have come to an understanding.”
They came to a stop, and Dominic jumped out and saying good bye very quickly before running up to Camila.
Yuri turned around and started on his way to the school bus stop.
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Yuri leaned against the solid section of the fence waiting for the school bus to arrive. Yuri checked his watch for the time. He was glad he still made it there early despite the genesis of afternoon traffic. It wasn’t too long before the area started to fill up with parents waiting for their kids to arrive and soon the bus came into view and stopped in front of the crowd. Yuri saw little Anya get off looking around.
“Anya, over here!” he waved at her. At first, she looked confused, but then her face lit up.
“Unkie!” she yelled laughing. She ran to him and hugged his legs, nearly knocking him over.
“Whoa” Yuri said trying to catch the fence so he wouldn’t topple over. She was strong for a little pup.
From Anya’s place, holding onto his legs, she looks up with her cute face, “Where’s papa and mama?”
“They’re having grown up time.” Yuri said smiling. He was trying to match her energy. “So, you get to have a sleep over at my place.”
Anya smiled. “Are papa and mama flirting again?”
Yuri internally groaned, hoping not. They’ve done enough of that. Yuri continued to smile. “They’re just talking.”
Anya’s face blanked and then came back to life. She smiled and nodded. He noticed she did it every once in a while, and it creeped him out a bit. However, the sound of a stomach growl brought his attention back to his adoptive niece. She made a face and rubbed her stomach. He chuckled. “So, what do you say to dinner and some ice cream?” Pulling her off his legs, Yuri reached down to hold her hand.
“Yes!” Anya said. She took his hand and allowed him to take her to the car. “Where are we going to eat? Will they have peanuts?”
Yuri laughed, “We’re going to Chugai Grace.” he said. He was finally going to eat there. He had been craving it all week, but Loid and the unborn pup ruined his chance to eat it the night before. So, why not? Plus, it would be nice if Anya loved the restaurant, then he’d have another family member in his corner who loved to eat there and who better than Loid’s own pup? “I am sure they’ll have something with nuts. Or maybe we can put nuts on some ice cream for dessert.”
“You can put nuts on ice cream?” Her eyes shined brightly at the prospect.
“Of course, haven’t you ever done that before?” he asked. She shook her head in response.
“Well, we’ll have to talk to your dad about that.” Anya hummed in response. Yuri opened the backseat door and let Anya into the car.
“How was school today?” He asked starting the car and taking off.
“Becky threw a ball at Ewen’s face and blamed it on Emile in gym.” She said a little too gleefully. “The teacher believed her.”
“That’s...nice.” Yuri settled on an answer. He knew a little about her troubles fitting in at school. Particularly, she had a poor relationship with the Desmond boy, the Chairman’s youngest son. That was a little concerning given his family, but kids grow out of these things. Least he hoped. “I take it Ewen deserved it.” he attempted at making conversation, but got no answer.
He saw Anya looking through her backpack in the rear view mirror. Yuri let it go. Not knowing what else to say, they drove in silence. He felt an awkward atmosphere between him and Anya. It’s not like he was best friends with the pup, but it’s not like they were strangers either. Though, he wasn’t quite sure how to talk to a six year old because he hasn’t talked to one since he was six himself. Yuri’s thoughts wondered to Yor and Loid, hoping they’re doing more talking than he and Anya are and that it was going smoothly.
“Are Mama and Papa not getting along again?” she suddenly asks.
“Again?” He asked sounding more alarmed than he meant to. Yor had said that Anya was very perceptive. From similar observations he had to agree. Although, sometimes he was impressed with how astute she could be, but in contrast there were times were her ineptitude astounded him. She was definitely an interesting pup. In this case, Anya probably was aware of how tense things were in the house between Yor and Loid because she lives with them. She must have felt the turmoil that Yor and Loid’s lack of communication was causing. He cleared his throat. “What do you mean again?”
“After you came over, the first time, Papa and Mama weren’t happy.” she stated simply.
Why is she making it sound like it was his fault? “No, they’re getting along.” He hoped. “Sometimes mommies and daddies need some time to talk just them.”
She hummed again at him as if she didn’t believe him. At a red light, he glanced back at her. She looked a little forlorn for a six year old looking out of the window. He was about to say something, but quickly went back to driving when he was honked at.
He wondered why she was acting so bizarre. Normally, from his limited interactions with her, she was a lot spunkier and cheerful overall. The only time she seemed upset was when it came to her studies. Maybe it was because she was spending time with him. In the sense that she isn’t use to it...though...she doesn’t act like this normally either. She is typically happy to see her “Unkie.” But now she seemed so withdrawn and Yuri wished he knew why. It’s not like he is acting any different... well, maybe a little.
Last night was a fluke, least in his head. Yuri was riding the high that he was going to be an uncle. And he went into alpha mode in general. Most of the night he could feel Loid’s unease, so Yuri did what he could to lighten the mood. He hoped that Loid seeing that they can all be a happy family would allow him to talk to his mate... and that clearly didn’t happen. So, now Yuri was playing babysitter hoping his sister wises up and takes care of her omega... He really hated thinking that. He knew Yor loved Loid and she actively wanted to be a good wife... he just needed her to be the alpha and take charge. Like she did when they were kids, being the older alpha. Yuri sighed. He needed to stop dwelling on it. It’s over. It’s done. Yor is talking to Loid this very moment. Yuri was just exhausted from all the emotions of the situation.
He’s had to deal with Loid’s emotions and Yor’s emotions separately. Having to play marriage counselor was taking its toll on him. He hadn’t even had the chance to deal with his own emotions yet concerning Loid’s pregnancy... and he certainly had feelings. “I need a therapist.”
“Papa can help you.” Anya said.
Yuri jumped. He hadn’t realized he had said that out loud. “I am sure he can.”
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Dinner was just going as smoothly as a butterknife cutting through a stack of coins. Turns out, father like daughter. Anya didn’t really care for anything at Chugai Grace because nothing had nuts. He ended up getting her something to eat at a kiosk outside...sans peanuts. He couldn’t figure this kid out.
Anya happily chomping on döner kebab, walked right beside Yuri down the side walk as they headed towards his car. Yuri saw some kids eating ice cream a head of them. He was about to ask Anya if she still wanted some when he looked down and saw she wasn’t there. He looked frantically around himself to see she was standing outside of a shop window. He walked over and saw that it was a shop for baby stuff. She looked at him and asked, “Can we go inside?”
Yuri answered, “This stuff is too little for you.”
“Please!” she looked at him somewhat desperately for a six year old. He was confused as to what she found so interesting about a baby supply store, but he's had enough of pups for the day. He just wanted to get home.
Yuri reached down and took her greasy hand. He internally grimaced at that. He had forgotten the street food she was holding. “Why don’t we go to the store and get some ice cream and some toppings? We can get nuts like you wanted.” He smiled hoping that distracted her.
She smiled back and nodded, but Yuri saw her glance back before the store disappeared in the distance.