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Yuuri was nervous, to say the least. He had given birth to Kenji four days ago, and he and his baby were just now getting discharged from the hospital.
Yuuri wasn't nervous about going home, he was worried about what going home meant. He and Viktor were officially parents now, and the reality hadn't sunk in until Yuuri gave birth. He and Viktor were now responsible for life, their very own baby.
Yuuri's labor had lasted longer than most people's, and it had been grueling. Yuuri went into labor at around 8 PM on May 15th and didn't give birth until May 17th. He had what the nurses called a prolonged labor that lasted 29 hours, and Viktor had been possibly more stressed and worried than Yuuri himself had been.
In the end, Yuuri and Kenji had been fine. Kenji was born a healthy baby boy, and Yuuri had gone through the labor with minimal tearing. Seeing his baby's face for the first time, Yuuri fell in love.
His baby boy looked almost exactly like Viktor, which made Yuuri fall in love even more.
His baby was the most adorable thing he had ever seen, and all Yuuri wanted to do was watch him and look at all of his cute features. The doctors handed Kenji to Yuuri first, Viktor looking at their baby over Yuuri's shoulder.
Yuuri had been so gentle with him, scared of hurting him in any way. He and Viktor had a baby, their own child. The most adorable child Yuuri had ever seen.
Yuuri knew that no matter what happened, he would always protect him. Judging by how Viktor held their baby and looked at him, Viktor would do the same.
Yuuri hadn't wanted to separate from Kenji, but the nurses had to make sure nothing was wrong with either him or his baby. Once they were both cleared, Yuuri was more than happy to hold his baby for as long as the nurses would allow.
Viktor had called Mari, Hiroko, Toshiya, Lilia, Yakov, Chris, Phichit, Yuri, Otabek, Mila, and Georgi on the way to the hospital and the early stages of Yuuri's labor. It had been a lot of: Calling someone, telling them the news, then apologizing and hanging up to call someone else.
Chris and Phichit had to be the most high-energy excited about the baby coming. So when Viktor shared his worries about Yuuri and the baby, and how everything could go wrong while Yuuri was in labor, they made sure to reassure Viktor that everything was going to be okay. Viktor admitted after both Yuuri and Kenji were cleared and everything was over, that he might have been overreacting. But Yuuri knew his worrying was from a place of love, and he could never fault Viktor for that.
Yuuri and Viktor wanted the gender to be a surprise, so they picked out names for both a boy and a girl. He and Viktor had agreed they didn't care what gender their child was, as long as they were healthy.
Kenji was a name Viktor had thought of, and Yuuri had loved it immediately. Kenji was Japanese for strong and healthy and was a beautiful name in general. They had chosen a name for a girl, as well, a Russian name. But Viktor had told Yuuri that he didn't love it as much as they both loved Kenji.
As this was only a couple of weeks before Yuuri gave birth, there hadn't been enough time for them to pick out a girl name that they loved. So in that regard, Yuuri was thankful he gave birth to a baby boy, as they were able to name him something both he and Viktor loved.
Never in Yuuri's life did he think he could love someone on sight, that is until he saw his baby. His baby's scrunched-up face, tiny little feet, and hands, wrinkled skin, everything about him was perfect.
Viktor held the carrier Kenji was in on the way out of the hospital. Yuuri was in sweatpants and one of his husband's sweatshirts, cozy as they walked slowly.
Yuuri was still sore from the tears, but the nurses said he would heal pretty quickly because they weren't too bad. Viktor, who was also holding Yuuri's hospital bag, gently guided Yuuri out of the hospital with a hand on the small of his back.
The walk from the hospital doors to Viktor's car wasn't too far, and Yuuri felt relieved to be sitting down in the passenger seat. The entire way to their apartment, Yuuri was glancing at the backseat where Kenji sat in his carrier, peacefully asleep.
"He's not going anywhere," Viktor said softly, trying to not disturb the peaceful atmosphere. Yuuri smiled at his husband, "I know, it just doesn't feel real, y'know?"
Yuuri turned forward, looking at the road as Viktor drove closer to home. "We have a baby, our own baby now. A baby who we get to raise and take care of." Viktor gave a loving look towards Yuuri, parking in front of their apartment.
"Stay there, I'll come around and help you out," Yuuri started to protest, but before he could Viktor had already opened his door for him. "Vitya," Yuuri called as Viktor unbuckled him, "You don't need to treat me like a china doll, I'm okay, really."
Viktor sent Yuuri an unimpressed look, "I'm not taking any chances. You just gave birth to our son, let me take care of you for a bit while you heal."
Viktor offered a hand to Yuuri, helping him slowly step out of the car. Once out, Viktor walked to the back of the car and grabbed Yuuri's hospital bag before unbuckling and grabbing Kenji's carrier.
Viktor closed the doors and locked the car, walking with Yuuri to their front door. He stepped around Yuuri to unlock it, "You probably want to shower, but please just rest after that. I don't want you hurting yourself anymore."
Yuuri nodded, "Definitely showering first," Yuuri didn't need to sniff himself to know he stunk. He wanted to shower after getting home from the hospital anyway.
"Are you okay with taking care of Kenji on your own?" Yuuri was concerned, while Kenji was a quiet and content baby, (the nurses had been concerned when he was born not screaming and wailing) he was still an infant with infant needs. Viktor nodded, setting down Yuuri's hospital bag at the foot of their bed.
"I'll be alright, we can make it a couple of hours without Mama, right Kenji?" Viktor cooed, picking up Kenji out of his carrier ever so carefully.
Yuuri glared at Viktor lightly, he was still coming around to the whole "Mama" thing. He was a man, so he always thought when he had children of his own, he would be called Dad or Dada. But since presenting as an omega and meeting Viktor, he accepted that he wouldn't be a Dad if they had children.
It still felt weird, being called Mama, but he would get over it. As long as his child loved him, he didn't really care what Kenji called him. Of course, he was slightly salty still. Viktor was used to being called Daddy, so there wasn't much of a change for him on that front.
"I'm sure Daddy will do just fine without Mama, Mama is just worried," Yuuri said to Kenji, smirking at the slight blush on Viktor's face. "Right, Daddy?"
Viktor groaned under his breath, grabbing Yuuri's waist with his free hand, "Yuuri, don't start that now when I know you're in no condition to follow through with anything of that nature." Yuuri laughed, "There are still things we can do, even if I'm sore. Things that include my mouth on you-"
Viktor cut Yuuri off, kissing him harshly. "Go get a shower, I'll get Kenji settled." Yuuri nodded, blushing as he walked to their dresser to get a set of clothes to change into.
Yuuri stripped out of his dirty clothes and stepped into the lukewarm shower, sighing in relaxation. He took his time scrubbing his body gently, taking extra care around his genitals where he was most tender. He loved to be able to have his own child and that he had a strong alpha like Viktor to take care of him, but the pain of giving birth was something Yuuri doubted he would ever get used to.
Used to. He was already thinking of having another child, Yuuri realized suddenly. He thought about it more as he finished his shower, and Yuuri wasn't opposed to having more children. He certainly had many fun memories of hanging out with Mari when he was younger. Even now they were extremely close, and Yuuri could imagine it already: Kenji growing up and having a younger sibling. One who he would treasure, love, and protect as much as he and Viktor did Kenji.
But Yuuri would have to think about that and talk with Viktor about it later. Kenji hadn't exactly been planned, so there was always the possibility of another accidental pregnancy. Though he and Viktor had already agreed they would be more careful using protection during Yuuri's heats and Viktor's ruts from now on.
Thinking about how exactly Yuuri had gotten pregnant with Kenji made Yuuri blush, fighting to not get aroused right now. Yuuri put on a clean pair of boxers, sweatpants, and one of Viktor's sweatshirts that smelled of him.
The scent of his mate and husband calmed Yuuri even more as he walked out of the bathroom and to the living room, where Viktor was sitting on the couch cooing at Kenji.
The TV was on low, an old black-and-white movie playing quietly in the background. When Yuuri had first moved in with Viktor he had been surprised by the sheer amount of black-and-white movies and TV shows Viktor watched.
Viktor admitted that he loved watching them because they reminded him of home and how when he was younger he used to spend some of his free days at Yakov and Lilia's house, watching movies together like a family. (Yuuri had told Viktor that they weren't just like a family. Viktor, Yakov, and Lilia were a family, in everything but blood.)
Yuuri joined Viktor and Kenji on the couch, happily snuggling into his alpha's side as they watched Kenji look around the room and at them with curiosity. He was wrapped snuggly in a blue baby blanket, with only his face and little arms outside.
"What do you think he will be when he's older?" Viktor hummed, "You mean what he'll present as?" Yuuri nodded, smiling as Kenji turned his face and arms towards him, knowing subconsciously that Yuuri was his mom. Viktor passed Kenji to Yuuri, wrapping his left arm around Yuuri's shoulders.
"I don't know, maybe he'll be an omega, like you." There was no real way of telling what someone would present as before they did, but some traits were most commonly seen in particular secondary genders. For instance, how quiet Kenji was could be seen as an omega trait.
There was always the chance that Kenji would present the opposite of his personality or stature, but only time would tell. Yuuri's family had known since he was very young that he would present as either a beta or omega, not an alpha. Not only was Yuuri almost painfully shy, but he also had a delicate and small build.
Male omegas were the most rare in their world, with either gender of betas the most common. The ratio globally was about 50% betas (50% female and 50% male), 33% alphas (25% female and 75% male), and 17% omegas (75% female and 25% male).
Because omegas were so sought after by alphas and betas, they were often the most in danger of being kidnapped or taken if unmated. Yuuri was lucky in that aspect, growing up in a small town where everyone knew each other. Everyone protected each other, too. Especially the children and vulnerable.
It also helped that his older sister was Mari Katsuki, possibly the scariest alpha in town to those younger than her when they were kids. Yuuri was grateful for Mari, as she drove away a lot of his bullies when she found out they were tormenting her younger brother.
Yuuri had zoned out, staring at Kenji as he fell asleep in his arms. When Viktor realized this, he gently took Kenji from him and stood to lay him down in his cradle. Viktor rejoined Yuuri on the couch, sitting down next to him and pulling Yuuri into his lap.
Since getting home from the hospital, Yuuri was exhausted. He leaned back into Viktor's arms, letting the older man hold him closer. Viktor's hands slipped underneath Yuuri's (really Viktor's) sweatshirt, caressing his hips and stomach as Yuuri started to purr in contentment.
Another thing about omegas was their instinctual behaviors, such as: purring when content, happy, and/or safe. It was a rare thing to hear an omega purr, and it showed that the omega fully trusted whomever they were with.
Viktor felt his alpha puff up with pride whenever Yuuri purred like this, fully safe and content in his arms. Yuuri was his true love, his soulmate. He was lucky that Yuuri had danced with him and ignited his desire to skate and love as much as he did.
Yuuri and Viktor stayed like that, cuddling on the couch for several more hours until Kenji started fussing from his cradle. They would certainly have a lot to do in the upcoming years.
Yuuri and Viktor were waiting inside their apartment flat in Russia for Yakov and Lilia. They had been home from the hospital for a week now, and Yakov and Lilia were the first two people they had invited to meet Kenji.
Their friends who weren't in the country were flying into Russia to meet Kenji. They had decided to take it slow introducing Kenji to people, as they didn't want him to become overwhelmed.
Thankfully they had managed to keep the fact that Yuuri had given birth off social media, which Viktor had been surprised by. Ice skating fans all over the world had been waiting excitedly for their baby to be born.
Many people were already betting that Kenji would grow up to be an even better figure skater than Viktor and Yuuri, with their genes combined. Yuuri didn't want to put pressure on Kenji to follow their career choices or become famous like his parents. Kenji could choose to do whatever he wanted in life and Yuuri and Viktor would support him.
Yuuri was startled out of his thoughts by the doorbell ringing. "I'll get it," Yuuri said and got up, as Viktor was holding Kenji. Yuuri opened the door to see Yakov and Lilia standing outside, Yakov holding a wrapped gift box. Yuuri smiled at the older couple, "Yakov, Lilia, it's great to see you. Come in," Yuuri closed to door behind them and Lilia turned back towards him once inside.
She stepped close to Yuuri, fussing over him. Lilia gently turned his head to the right then left, frowning when she didn't like what she saw, "You are far too pale. Has the baby been keeping you up at night?"
Yuuri smiled, Lilia was much more caring than she showed. Outside of the studio and rink, Lilia was not nearly as stern. She still wasn't as carefree as Phichit, for example, but she was still kind. "Yeah, unfortunately. He's a very quiet baby, but he still manages to keep me up almost all night."
Lilia's frown deepened, "You shouldn't be the only one taking care of your baby, especially not at night. You need to recover after giving birth, not wear yourself out. Has Vitya been helping? He better have been..."
Yuuri chuckled, he appreciated how Lilia was quick to make sure he was taking care of himself, but she did get some things wrong. "Viktor's actually been doing a lot more work than I have. He's been taking care of the house, food, helping with the baby, and taking care of me."
Yuuri had been avoiding letting slip Kenji's name, knowing that he and Viktor wanted to announce their baby's name when Yakov and Lilia saw him for the first time. They had told everyone the gender immediately after Kenji was born, knowing that it would be too hard for them to not slip up and reveal his gender.
Lilia continued to fuss over Yuuri, until Yuuri announced, "Would you guys like to meet our baby boy?" Yakov perked up from where he had been standing behind Lilia, watching his wife and the younger man interact.
Yuuri took that and Lilia's look of mild excitement as a yes, and led them further into the apartment. Viktor must have heard them coming, because he was standing up, holding Kenji to his chest and using his baby blanket to block his face.
"Yakov, Lilia, it's great to see you two," Viktor greeted, restraining from laughing at the older couple, who were pretty obviously excited and anxious to meet Viktor and Yuuri's baby.
"I bet you would like to meet this little guy," Viktor said, picking Kenji up off his chest. Viktor walked closer to Yakov and Lilia, presenting Kenji to them. "This is our son, Kenji Yakov Nikiforov-Katsuki."
When Viktor told them Kenji's name, the effect was almost immediate. Yakov's usually stern and angry face was replaced by an almost teary, slight smile.
Viktor held out Kenji to Lilia, who picked him up gently but quickly. She and Yakov looked at Kenji, analyzing his features much like Yuuri remembers doing when he first saw his son.
Yakov was the first to break the silence, "He's a beautiful baby. He looks just like you, Vitya." His words were slightly croaky, sounding like he was holding back tears. "I'm honored you would name him after me." Yakov looked up at Yuuri and Viktor, his eyes watery.
Yakov gave the wrapped gift to Yuuri, as Lilia passed Kenji to Yakov. "Thank you, you really didn't have to." Yuuri thanked Yakov and Lilia, opening to box to reveal some baby clothes and diapers. They were too big for Kenji right now, but he would grow into them. Viktor looked at the clothes with a teary-eyed smile.
Yuuri cleared his throat, close to tears himself. "There is something we wanted to ask of you two." Yuuri nudged Viktor.
"Oh, yes, we- or- uhm, we just want you to know that you can refuse, and there will be no hard feelings, and nothing will change if you don't want it to."
Lilia gave Viktor a calculating look, trying to figure out what Viktor was going to ask of them. Yakov looked up from where he had been gently rocking Kenji.
"Ever since I was little, you both have been so supportive, even letting me live with you when I wasn't allowed at home anymore. After a while, I realized that living with you guys felt like I was home. I was home with you guys. You were the ones who really raised me, and I want you to know that I see you as-" Viktor cut himself off, choking back tears.
"I see you guys as my parents." Yakov and Lilia wore matching shocked expressions. "And what we," Viktor gestured to him and Yuuri, "Wanted to ask you was if you would honor us with being Kenji's grandparents. His Дедушка and Бабушка."
Yakov and Lilia were speechless, "I understand if you don't feel the same, I just wanted you to know-" Lilia cut Viktor off, hugging him tightly.
"Vitya, we feel the same. You've always been our son. We just didn't want to make you uncomfortable, especially when you were younger and living with us." Lilia explained, not wanting Viktor to overthink this any more than he already had.
Yuuri took Kenji from Yakov so that he could hug Viktor as well, Viktor letting his tears escape as he was comforted by his parents.
A couple of minutes later, the group pulled apart. "Vitya, I think I can answer for both of us when I say that we would be honored to be Kenji's grandparents." Yakov wiped his tears away, giving up on pretending they weren't there.
"I agree," Lilia said, and Yuuri couldn't be more happy. Viktor had the parents he deserved, and Kenji had two more amazing grandparents who would love and take care of him. Seeing Yakov and Lilia with Viktor made Yuuri think of his own family.
They were in Japan right now, but he and Viktor had already planned a trip to Yuuri's hometown for a couple of weeks to spend time with them and let them meet Kenji. The doctor just had to clear Kenji to be sure that he was okay to fly, but other than that it was just going to be a nice, if more stressful than normal, trip.
Yakov, Lilia, Viktor, and Yuuri spent the rest of the day watching movies and watching Kenji explore the world around him. When Yakov and Lilia left, more tears were shed. This wouldn't be the last time they saw them, by far, but it was the first time either Viktor or Yakov and Lilia admitted their feelings about being like parents/a child to each other.
Yuuri made sure they had some privacy, but Viktor later said that he hadn't needed to, as Yuuri was family as well. They handled things together, and that didn't exclude Yakov and Lilia.
The entire flight to Japan was... bumpy, to say the least. There was severe turbulence for the majority of the flight, which did not help either Kenji or Yuuri. Kenji didn't appreciate being jostled around in a new, unfamiliar environment, and Yuuri just hated flying and turbulence.
Viktor stayed awake the entire flight, concerned about his nauseous husband and fussing child. Yuuri was thankful when the plane finally landed, sluggish during the walk out of the airport. Minako was waiting there, with a banner again. It reminded Yuuri of when he first came home after five years in America.
Yuuri's exhaustion and sickness must have been evident on his face because Minako winced in sympathy. She was still as excited to see Viktor and Yuuri as ever, maybe even more so because of the baby that Viktor was carrying.
"Minako," Viktor said, a relieved smile on his face. He was happy to be on the ground, and Kenji was already settling down and no longer fussing. The only thing was that Yuuri was feeling extremely sick and tired.
Yuuri barely acknowledged Minako, instead walking towards Minako's car after saying a stale, "Hello." Viktor shrugged when Minako looked back at him, "The flight was very turbulent, he was sick almost the whole time." Minako nodded, knowing from experience how badly Yuuri could get sick on a flight and from motion sickness.
Yuuri got in the back seat of the car, closing his eyes in an attempt to reorientate himself while sitting down, the car not yet moving. His motion sickness had always been bad, and now Yuuri could say it was almost as bad as morning sickness. Except morning sickness could happen day in and day out, but motion sickness was still bad for Yuuri.
Flying when pregnant? That was maybe one of the worst experiences of his life, Yuuri was surprised he didn't throw up on Viktor like he thought he would. The entire way to Yutopia Yuuri spent trying to sleep but failing miserably.
Pulling up to the onsen, Yuuri didn't feel any better than when he first got off the plane. Viktor got out of the car and helped Yuuri, who clutched his husband's arm in a death grip. His nausea made him feel dizzy, which made his nausea worse in a cycle that Yuuri hated so much.
"Yuuri?" Viktor's voice sounded concerned, and Yuuri ran his hand over his forehead to try and alleviate the dizziness. Minako was at his side in a second, also concerned about Yuuri's dizziness. "Can you get Kenji out of the car?" Minako took a moment to process that Viktor had just told her the name of their son, even if it was accidentally.
They were going to surprise Yuuri's parents, sister, Minako, and the Nishigoris all together, as they did with Yakov and Lilia, but considering how sick Yuuri seemed, Minako could understand the slip-up. Minako grabbed Viktor and Yuuri's son, Kenji, and walked to the front of the onsen with the couple.
Kenji was a beautiful name, Minako thought. She wasn't surprised that Yuuri and Viktor would name their child something like this and was privately happy that Yuuri named him a Japanese name. There was nothing wrong with a Russian or American name, but Minako still appreciated Yuuri naming him Kenji.
Viktor helped his husband inside, where they were greeted by Yuuri's mom, dad, and sister. Hiroko immediately walked over to her clearly sick son, checking his forehead for fever as he leaned heavily against Viktor. "You should bring Yuuri up to bed, he looks quite sick." Viktor nodded, he was planning on it anyway.
Knowing Yuuri would have a hard time walking up to his room, Viktor picked him up, bridal style. Viktor carried Yuuri up the stairs and to his room, laying him down gently on the bed. Viktor left him above the covers, knowing that he hated being too hot at night, and that would only make him feel worse.
Viktor took off Yuuri's shoes as well, brushing his hair out of his face. He kissed his forehead, sighing. He hated Yuuri being this sick. When he was pregnant and had morning sickness was a stressful time for Viktor, as he was constantly worried for him.
Viktor turned off the lights and closed the door behind him, walking back downstairs to the entrance of the onsen. He smiled at the sight that greeted him, Minako, Hiroko, Toshiya, and Mari were all standing around Kenji's carrier, all of them looking up when he came back in.
"Is Yuuri okay?" Mari asked, concerned for her younger brother. "He'll be okay, it's just motion sickness. He's resting right now." Viktor said, walking closer to the group.
Kenji couldn't quite recognize his dad, Viktor, as much as he could recognize Yuuri as his mom, but today Kenji was able to tell who he was pretty quickly. When he saw his dad, Kenji started to whine, wanting Viktor to pick him up.
"Here we go," Viktor said to Kenji when he unbuckled him and picked him up, holding him on his chest but angled so Minako, Yuuri's parents, and Yuuri's sister could see him.
Hiroko was glad her son was now resting, as he had looked very sick just standing and walking into the onsen.
Hiroko looked at her grandson. Her first (of hopefully many!) grandchild. He was adorable, and Hiroko could see where he got a lot of his traits from. But Hiroko could also see the traits her son had passed down. His eyes, nose, and lips most resembled Yuuri's own.
Viktor, sensing everyone's impatience to learn more about Kenji, grinned. "Me and Yuuri had planned to tell you guys, Yuuko, and Takeshi all together, but seeing as Yuuri is sick, I'll just tell you guys now."
Minako looked up at Viktor hopefully, excited to learn the name of the newest Nikiforov-Katsuki. "Everyone, I would like you to meet Kenji Yakov Nikiforov-Katsuki."
Viktor knew that people would want to see Kenji closer, and handed him off carefully to his father-in-law. Toshiya was proud to be the first one to who his grandson was handed and used his experience of being a father himself to support Kenji fully, allowing both grandfather and grandson to be comfortable.
"Kenji is a beautiful name," Mari commented, looking at said baby over her father's shoulder. Everyone continued to talk quietly as Kenji was passed from person to person, eventually coming back to Viktor.
Viktor kissed his son's forehead, knowing that both Viktor and Yuuri's families combined would ensure that Kenji was never without love, no matter where they lived. Tomorrow Yuuri would wake up feeling better, and spend the day with his family.
Yuuri was sad he hadn't been there when Viktor introduced them to Kenji, but he would be there when he and Viktor introduced Kenji to Yuuko, Takeshi, and all of their friends, so Yuuri would be okay. Spending a couple of weeks with his family helped, as well.
Surprisingly, it had been his sister, Mari, who took over most of taking care of Kenji. Mari was the one who changed most of Kenji's diapers, fed him, and even offered to bathe him and watch him at night for a bit so Yuuri and Viktor could get some sleep.
Yuuri still wanted to have some hand in taking care of Kenji during these couple weeks, not comfortable making his sister do everything. But he and Viktor did end up taking up Mari's offer to watch Kenji at night a few times when they were absolutely exhausted.
All in all, Yuuri and Viktor had successfully introduced Kenji to six people, all of whom they knew would love Kenji unconditionally. It warmed Viktor and Yuuri's hearts, to see their family coming all together like this.