Damage Control
Holding a meeting with two mafia clans was never easy, even if they were at good terms with each other. Having one of the leaders starting to yell hysterically, at the son of the other leader wasn’t helping either.
“Please remain at your seats, Mister Popovich and Miss Babicheva. Nothing will happen to your pakhan as long as he’s my guest.” Toshiya assured the two mobsters in front of him, as his daughter hoisted up Viktor with one arm and dragged him with her. “I think your leader and my heir need to share a few words in private, before we can discuss our hopefully ongoing partnership.”
“Georgi! Mila! Don’t move!” Viktor ordered, right before they were about to put their hands on their Berettas. “Everything’s alright. Do whatever Katsuki-san says, until I come back.”
As Mari passed her brother, she also caught Yūri by his arm and pulled him with her, leaving through the door, they had both emerged from not long ago.
The head of the Katsuki-gumi had known it wouldn’t be as easy to get Viktor Nikiforov to do what they wanted, as his son apparently had. He’d already instructed Mari prior to the meeting to get them out of there, if the situation was about to escalate. And man, it really had escalated quickly, but Toshiya was sure, that all they needed was an honest and private conversation with each other.
While Viktor was too shocked and curious to even complain at Mari, Yūri tried to get his sister off him, as soon as he realized where they were heading to.
“Mari-nee-chan! Let go, you can’t…!”
“I can and I will. The Nikiforov brat needs to see it, or he won’t believe a single word you say.” The elder of Toshiya’s offspring said, but Yūri didn’t want to hear any of it. “Make sure this deal works out. For both our sakes, little brother.”
Viktor saw Yūri’s face getting more and more pale with every step deeper into the Hot Spring residence. His fury was almost forgotten, while watching Yūri snapping. After a while he stopped struggling and gave in to his sister. He didn't understand what the two were saying, since they'd switched to speaking Japanese, but he could make out Mari mentioning his name.
Instead of making a snide remark, Yūri glanced at Viktor, trying to find out how much worse this situation had gotten, but all he could see, was him frowning and apparently watching them. Mari lead them down the hall to the private bedrooms of the family. After passing most of them, she opened the last door at the end of the corridor and pushed them inside.
“You both have an earnest conversation and you better don’t dare to come back to father’s dining table, before you sorted out your issues.” She said in English and closed the door noisily.
Yūri didn’t have to turn on the light or look around to know which room they’d ended up in together, but he switched it on anyways and buried his face in his palms. It would have been more awkward to stand in a dark room, than with what Viktor was about to get to see now. Or was it?
“I am sorry.” He muttered and didn’t dare to look at Viktor fucking Nikiforov right now. “I didn’t intend to…”
“To do what? Play with my feelings? Getting some intel on me, while I let my guard down?” Viktor’s voice was full of anger and disappointment. “And what the hell is this room about? That's a goddamn joke, isn’t it?”
“It isn’t a joke, not at all!” Yūri yelled and not only let his hands sink, but also his emotionless mask he used to hide behind while working. First, he looked at the real Viktor, before he looked at all the posters and pictures of him, that decorated his childhood bedroom. Before the Russian could make another remark, Yūri stumbled backwards and sat down on his bed. He gestured Viktor to do the same.
“When we met in Tokyo, I genuinely wanted to get to know you. Not the mobster Viktor Nikiforov, but the real you. And I wasn’t disappointed to find out how great Vitya was. To be honest, I admire you since I’ve seen you for the first time.”
Viktor wasn’t easily taken off-guard, but he simply didn’t know what to make of the young man sitting before him. He neither was the tourist he met in Tokyo, nor the son of a Mafiosi he had met mere minutes’ prior. Which one was the real Yūri?
“Then explain yourself. I’ll give you the chance to convince me not to go ballistic or end the negotiations between our families before they even started.”
For the first time in ages, Yūri couldn’t bring himself to keep his feelings inside of him. He couldn’t believe the leap of faith Vitya was offering him here. When the Russian watched the younger man’s face lit up in joy and gratitude, he felt his hand suddenly covering his mouth, keeping himself from doing something stupid. Like smiling, or saying how much he already loved him, even after spending not more than half a day with him until now. He couldn’t let himself react like that, especially after being deceived like this and after letting him look like an idiot in front of the inner circle of the Katsuki family, as well as his own subordinates. Viktor waited for Yūri to start explaining and positioned himself at the desk of his opponent, openly refusing to sit beside him on the small single bed.
“I don’t know if you can remember, but you were in Tokyo before, when our fathers discussed their first business deal with each other. You were about fourteen years old, I was ten…” Yūri started and tried to find the right words to explain how he really thought about Viktor. “You were the perfect son. Content and brave, learning how to become the next pakhan, while I was a little bit too chubby and way too clumsy for an heir of a syndicate as large as my fathers. You were so graceful, so charming, but all I could do was watch from a distance. Already back then, I wished I was more like you.”
“Why haven’t I met you at that time? I can’t remember you or your sister, but I can almost remember every other detail from the journey to Tokyo. Those meetings took place in your headquarters in Kabukichō.” This had been Viktor’s first journey outside of Europe and even if he was forgetful from time to time, he remembered this trip as if it had happened a few weeks ago, because it had really impressed him then.
“Father didn’t allow us to get anywhere near the family business, before we were at least thirteen years old. He’d been very strict about this rule. He didn’t trust anyone enough to let outsiders see our faces, or even hear our names.”
“What about your sister? She must have been older than thirteen at that time.”
“She was indeed, but had been moved to the US not long before you came for your visit. We had to spend a few years abroad, when we were in our late teens.” Yūri explained. “My mother made sure, nobody of the Russian delegation got a glimpse of me. It wasn’t easy for her. Even if I was a little bit clumsy, I’ve always been one sneaky bastard.”
“You are the son of a pakhan, just as I am. Everybody knows who I am, but why did you never show up on any radar? Even if your father was secretive until you came of age, there must be at least something about you, after you started working for your group. The dossier I got to read, didn’t have any specifics about your status or your scope of duties within your organization.” Viktor had wondered about this matter before, when he’d been on the flight to Japan. Now seemed to be the perfect opportunity to ask. Yūri didn’t seem to be the type to lie, when being asked within such a weighty conversation. “You should be the second or at least third in command by now. You should have accompanied your father, when he visited St. Petersburg two years ago. There is something about you, I can’t even begin to comprehend.” For years, he had been trained to be the next leader. Everyone in the underworld had known since his birth who’d take over the Bratva one day. But nobody seemed to know who Yūri was, or what he was capable of doing. It was nerve wrecking.
“Just for the record, I have been in St. Petersburg with my father, two years ago, but I wasn't officially introduced to anyone.” Suddenly, a rather smug look appeared on Yūri’s face. “Nobody knows who I am, because I don’t want anyone to. I never planned on taking over the Katsuki-gumi in the first place, even if my father didn’t want to accept for a long time. I’ve used my skills to get all kind of information for him, without introducing myself as the son of Katsuki Toshiya. This was fine and valuable for him, he finally accepted that I preferred to keep my privacy.” The young Japanese brought up a hand to his hair and rubbed over his neat hairdo. “It’s fairly easy to get everywhere with this kind of looks. Men are caught off-guard when I start to fight and before they even register what’s happening, I’ve already slit their throats.”
“It’s impossible that nobody has heard of someone like you yet. There at least have to be some kind of rumors.” Was Viktor’s remark and he knew that he was right with his assumption, as he saw Yūri cringe.
“I am very sure that you’ve heard about me. I’ve got the most humiliating nickname anyone could think of. Still can’t believe that calling me that once was enough to establish it.” Yūri sighed theatrically. “It’s all Nishigori’s fault. Ah… he is fathers right-hand man, you met him earlier. Are you up to guessing?”
Viktor tried to figure out who he could be, but there were many killers with a variety of dumb nicknames. But… no, it couldn’t be, right? There had been a killer, only one, that’d been standing out of the mass in the last few years. A man rumored to be a devil, with the face of an angel. There were only two men that would at least loosely fit this description and he only knew one of them in person, previously to meeting Yūri.
A deep sigh escaped Yūri’s throat, as he saw Viktor looking at him with realization in his eyes. “You figured it out, right? It’s so embarrassing.”
Was he kidding? If they were both talking about the same person, there was nothing he had to be embarrassed about. Nobody laughed when they talked about him. At least they only laughed once, until they heard what he’d been doing to his targets, if they didn't cooperate.
“You’re… Babyface, right? The one who’s been doing the dirty work for your father all around the world, in the last four years? A shadow no one has been able to track down? Someone who occasionally was up for hiring even outside of the Yakuza?”
Yūri started to phrase a witty response, but was cut off by Viktor’s roaring laughter. “You don’t believe me, do you?” He sighed and feared, he had wasted his one and only chance to undo the damaged he’d caused.
“It’s not that.” Viktor tried to assure him between laughing. “But the name fits you so perfectly. My subordinates and I always reckoned, the nickname was pure mockery. That Babyface was actually an old guy or someone nowhere near as pretty as you are.”
Yūri blushed immediately at this comment. “That’s what other gangsters really think? Doesn’t even sound too bad.” Was this an indication for Viktor forgiving him?
“You still didn’t thoroughly explain, why you thought it was important to meet me beforehand, though. I am very sure that your mission was to observe, not to flirt.” All the laughter and friendliness had disappeared and Viktor once again looked at him with a stone-cold expression. He wasn’t ready to forgive him just yet, even if he enjoyed every second with this strange Japanese man.
“Yeah, you've got that one right as well. My sister ordered me to keep a close eye on you and your men as soon as you reached Haneda Airport.” This was the part of the conversation he feared most, but there was no way of avoiding it now. “I decided to try to get to talk to you, but I never would have guessed, that you’d approach me directly. I wanted to get to know you, not the pakhan, just as I indicated earlier. I needed to verify something, before I could make a rather grave decision concerning our lives.”
“Ours?”
“Mari’s, mine and... yours too, if you decide to go along with my ideas.” Yūri sighed once again and tried to find back to his usual business-y attitude. “The next part of this conversation should be proposed by my father, since it’s an essential part of his conditions for a further partnership between our families. Since Mari was most likely ordered by father to lock us up in a room together, they surely won’t mind me talking about this whole matter. But first... let me know, if I should even continue talking.” He needed to know, if there still was a chance for Viktor forgiving him.
All he heard of Viktor was him humming from across the room. For a moment, Yūri wasn't sure if he should dare to look up into the Russians deep blue eyes. What if he couldn't ever bring himself to forgive Yūri? What if he stormed out and left Hasetsu immediately? All he wanted, was to confirm, if he should dare to suggest an alternate plan than his father would have. Something different than letting him marry off Mari to the Russian. Yūri started to quail and didn't know what to do. It had been years since his last panic attack. He was about to completely lose control, when he suddenly felt two big hands cup his face and pull his gaze up.
Pure and utter fear was all Viktor could see in the other man's eyes. Somehow, he enjoyed this look on Yūri. Viktor had never thought he’d have sadistic tendencies, but he really did feel rather thrilled by watching the other man tremble out of fear. To be honest, he was intrigued by both Yūri’s. The shy and insecure guy he met in Tokyo and that was sitting right in front of him at this very moment, as well as the rather ruthless criminal, he still needed to get to know better. Viktor couldn’t keep himself from touching Yūri’s soft skin once again and he really needed to see his beautiful chocolate-brown eyes right now.
"Well. I'm not happy about the little scam you pulled in Tokyo and I seriously would have appreciated a head’s up, before you let me look stupid in front of your whole family and my men." Viktor stated and slowly let go of Yūri. "Also, you should know that I'm not well known for giving second chances, but I'll make an exception for you. Only this once. Tell me the deal your father originally wanted to offer and then tell me what's the new one, you've been authorized to bid. Then I’ll choose the deal that suits me most or make my own suggestion. Does this sound acceptable?"
Yūri didn't know what to respond to that, because he was still shocked about the feeling of Viktor’s touch on his skin, so he simply nodded and tried to find the right words, to essentially describe what the pakhan wanted to know. Even after everything they had said or done, Yūri still feared Viktor would be preferring the deal that included him marrying Mari.
For a second, Viktor thought about sitting down on the bed beside Yūri, but he wanted to be able to keep looking into his eyes, when he finally told him about the things Katsuki Toshiya wanted him to do. Viktor would humor them, if their demands weren’t too overboard. The Bratva would always be bigger and more powerful than the Yakuza, but he needed them as his allies. The last thing Viktor wanted right now was a war, that could easily be avoided. He expectantly watched his opponent, while he moved back to the desk and spun the office chair to face Yūri, before he seated himself as comfortable as possible.
"Basically, father’s intention is to even further strengthen the bond between our families. I'll directly cut to the essential point. His first proposal would have been one of marriage." Yūri began to explain. "He wants you to marry my sister and take her with you. She was raised to lead and she'd demand to become your second in command sooner or later. Everything else would have stayed the same. Mari hasn't been happy at all, hearing about this plan for the first time a few months ago. After all, she thought she'd take over the Katsuki-gumi one day, due to my lack of interest in even leading my own pack of mobsters."
"I understand." This was exactly what Viktor had seen coming, as soon as Toshiya had talked about strengthening their bonds. There were a lot of things the Russian wanted, but a stubborn and unwilling bride wasn’t on that very list. Viktor sighed deeply and tried to guess on his own, what the second offer could be. Was it better trading conditions? Or was it something only Yūri could offer? Maybe his services as an assassin? Hopefully it was a lot better than marrying the sister of the guy he started falling in love with. Having him misleading him like that, didn’t change anything for Viktor. "What's your deal?"
Suddenly Yūri started to fidget again and avoiding Viktor’s gaze on purpose. As much was Viktor enjoyed the insecure Yūri, even his patience didn’t last forever.
"One could argue, that the deal with the marriage would be the better solution for you, but that’s exactly why I wanted to get to know you before I even considered letting my family in on my plan." Yūri tried to avoid to say it as long as possible, but there was no way around it now, just like Mari had told him earlier. He took a deep breath, straightened his shoulders and now directly stared into Viktor’s eyes. "Instead of taking Mari as your wife, you’d simply make me your second in command. You'd take me with you and make me part of the Bratva. I'll be the direct link to the Yakuza, but my loyalty would of course lie with you. We both like each other and this solution would surely be much more comfortable for all three of us. And of course, my father would still get one of his heirs to stand beside the Bratva’s pakhan."
Yūri was watching him closely, the whole time while telling him about this alternative offer, but Viktor's expressions didn't give away anything. Suddenly he sweetly smiled at him and Yūri wasn’t sure if this was a good thing or not.
"Thank you for your kind propositions, but I can't bring myself to even consider either of them." Yūri had already feared to hear something like this as Viktor’s answer. He had tried to brace himself for it, but it hurt like hell nonetheless. "Now, let me make my counter-offer."
