#4. Victor decides to adopt four puppies, much to Yuuri’s (faked) dismay.
Yuuri should’ve realised that something was wrong as soon as he stepped into their apartment. It was quiet, too quiet; especially since Victor was supposed to be at home. He’d even left practice early, citing not feeling well as a reason for leaving. No one had put up a fight since Victor never left practice early - for any reason - so Yuuri supposes that should’ve been a warning sign. He wasn’t sure what for, though.
He kicks his shoes off by the door, taking his time to unravel his scarf and take off his coat as he attempts to listen for any noises coming from further within. Once he’s done with his coat, and there’s still no sign of life, he feels anxiety begin to form in the pit of his stomach.
“Vitya?” he calls out, taking a few steps further into the apartment. No response. He’s in the kitchen now, and it doesn’t even look like anything’s changed since him and Victor ran out the house because they were late for their bus to the ice rink. There’s still even their half finished coffee mugs on the counter.
Yuuri furrows his eyebrows, now at a complete loss at where Victor could be. He’s about to reach for his phone in his back pocket when he hears the door open, and a lot of noise follows that sounds suspiciously like barking and whimpering.
He runs back to the entrance way, and what he sees makes his jaw drop.
Victor, with four different breeds of dogs all on leashes. In their apartment. Right in front of him.
Victor looks up suddenly, as if feeling Yuuri’s presence, and he beams charmingly. The puppies are absolutely wild, sniffing everything and getting tangled in each other’s leads as neither Victor or Yuuri move to stop them.
Victor’s carefree grin turns into something more sheepish, and he’s now having a hard time looking Yuuri in the eye.
“Um…” Victor begins, laughing nervously and finally meeting Yuuri’s expecting gaze, “surprise?”
Yuuri forces a frown on his face and folds his arms in attempt at avoiding leaning down to pet and fuss the puppies, “what on earth is this, Victor?”
One of the puppies trip up over its own legs, letting out a surprised ‘woof’ as it falls. Yuuri’s bottom lip wobbles in resistance to start cooing at it.
“Ah, I, uh, went to a dog shelter… and… I couldn’t just leave them there, Yuuri! They were begging for a home!” Victor whines, pulling a face as sweet as the four puppies in front of him.
Yuuri sighs, there are so many reasons as to why they shouldn’t: they were busy with practice, travelled all over the world consistently, and had barely any time to spend with their one dog - let alone four more. Why did Victor even go to a dog shelter in the first place?!
“Fine.” Yuuri says abruptly, and it’s worth everything to see the smile that blooms on his husband’s face. He feels himself smiling back on reflex, and kneels down and opens his arms to the puppies. They all barrel forward with no hesitance, licking and pawing at Yuuri, their tails wagging so forcefully their whole bodies move with it.
“Welcome home,” he laughs, taking time to kiss each one of them on the head, and watches as Victor crouches down to welcome them too.