“Put that damned mobile away and pretend you’re a prince and not an utter barbarian,” Yuri hissed back at him.
“I’m busy. Go away.”
“This is an important function, you cockwomble. You can sext later.” Where I don't have to see you ignoring me.
Angelo looked up from his mobile and his eyes, the same color as the flowers on his jacket, flashed. “You don’t get to order me around, runt. I’m pretty sure I made that clear years ago.”
Yuri felt his rage want to explode out of him but he couldn’t give vent to it, so he turned on his heel and stomped out of the room before he did something he'd regret. Diplomacy, good manners, and proper behavior be damned; if he didn’t leave, he’d end up causing a scene much worse than Angelo’s rude obsession with his phone.
His eldest brother, Alex, followed him out. Of course. “Yuri,” he said gently. “Are you feeling all right? I can get Philippe down here to help you back to your room.”
No. Yuri was definitely not all right. He currently had a boyfriend he was pretty sure he didn't like much, he hadn’t seen Angelo in months, he was on edge all the time, he felt like Oxford was going to swallow him up whole and not even spit out his bones, and his stupid betrothed, after not seeing him in ages, was ignoring him.
“I’m fine,” Yuri said, not looking at his brother. “I don't need Philippe's help.” Or his pity. Philippe never came out and said anything, but he seemed to sense that there was more going on between Angelo and Yuri than a betrothal neither had chosen. So far, he'd said very little on the subject and Yuri planned on keeping that status quo. “Everything is fine, Alex. Nothing to see here. Go fix someone else. Archie is probably up to something.” That was always a safe assumption.
Alex hugged Yuri from behind, resting his chin on his shorter brother’s head. “I worry about you,” he said.
Yuri scowled. “I’m fine. Really. I promise. I’m just not feeling great. Too much wine or something.”
That, at least, wasn’t a lie. He had drunk way too much of the sparkling wine that waiters brought around in crystal flutes. He’d lost track of how many he’d gone through. But what was wrong definitely fell into the 'or something' category.
Alex made a grunt of understanding. “If that’s all, then go lie down. I’ll make your excuses. And sleep in tomorrow. A family breakfast is the last thing you’ll need in the morning.”
Fuck, yeah. “Good idea. Thanks, Alex.”
Alex gave him another squeeze then pulled away. “I’m never too busy for either of my brothers,” he said. “You know you can always come and talk with me.”
No. Not in this bloody lifetime. Yuri turned around to face his brother, who did, as usual, look concerned. “Good night.” Yuri turned away and wandered off to his bedroom. At least he still had porn.
He found a good one with a guy who had dark hair and brown skin who fucked a cute little twink. He was getting to the good part, where they were down to just their socks, when Yuri felt his mobile buzz. His heart lifted and he paused the video to read the text.
Simon: Merry Christmas, sweetheart. Is this a good time to call?
Yuri looked back at his paused video and sighed. He was so not in the mood for Simon right then.
Yuri: not really. I’m about to go to bed
Simon: It’s not even 10pm
Yuri: you know, the sooner you go to bed, the sooner Santa shows up
Simon: How would you like me to show up instead of Santa?
Yuri’s heart thudded into overdrive. Having Simon around was about the last thing he wanted. Simon would want to fuck him and Yuri would have to just take it in whatever boring flavor it showed up in. Lube, one finger, two fingers, fumble with condom, drop condom, look for new condom, eventually get condom on, push into a no-longer-ready Yuri, thrust a bunch of times, possibly hitting something good but most likely not, then pull out, discard condom, and shower.
I’ll pass, thanks all the same.
Yuri: Christmas is kinda family only, you know?
Simon: Is that prince of yours there?
Yuri: He’s not mine, and yes. His country doesn’t really do Christmas. Angelo’s always here for Christmas, then he goes home for New Year’s. He’s been doing it all our lives. He’s like my brother or some shit.
Simon: Right
Yuri: What?
Simon: I think, maybe, we should start seeing other people.
Yuri felt nothing but relief as he read Simon’s words. It was like chains had been removed from his feet.
Simon: Yuri? You still there?
Yuri: um, yeah. Is this what you want?
Simon: I don’t want to talk about what I want. But it’s what we both need.
Yuri: I guess.
Simon: Just go fuck your prince already.
Yuri: He’s not my prince and he’s not gay.
Simon: Then suffer, I guess. I’m done.
Yuri: uh huh
Simon: Is that all the reaction I’m going to get?
Yuri: How do you want me to react?
Simon: Never mind. Merry Christmas, Yuri. Have a good life.
Yuri: you, too.
He waited, but the message remained unread. Giving a mental shrug of his shoulders, he tossed his mobile down onto his bed and unpaused his porn. The twink unhinged his jaw and sucked down the other guy’s cock, which was definitely above average in Yuri’s estimation.
His boyfriend had just broken up with him on Christmas and Yuri could barely bring himself to care.
I think I might be a horrible person, Yuri thought. Merry Christmas to me.
Yuri was woken by someone forcibly shaking him while pinning him down on the bed.
“What the fuck?” he snarled. “Who—”
A hand came down hard over Yuri’s mouth. “Quiet, princess. I’m only going to tell you once.”
Yuri's heart beat so hard it made him feel dizzy. Adrenaline raced through his bloodstream.
“Can I trust you not to scream the castle down if I pull my hand away?” Angelo hissed.
Yuri nodded and Angelo
