Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas, everyone and Happy Birthday, Vitya! I hope you'll get everything you want and need (except you, Viktor. I'm pretty sure you already have everything you wanted:D
Guess who's knocking at your door with an extra Christmas Special chapter? That's right!
Mama Nocturnal just pulled out an all-nighter because she's crazy and got inspired while decorating house!
Now this little something is not Chapter 9 so don't get excited just yet. This is an extra, like an OVA, and I decided to write it because why not? Original storyline will not have a real Sophia x Yuri fluff any time soon so I'm giving you this Christmas Special as a gift and because I need your opinion on my way of portraying their relationship.
Disclaimer: Everything except for my OC belongs to Kubo-sensei and Studio MAPPA.
"Oh, the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful.
Since we have no place to go,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."
I hummed to myself quietly, a heavy cardboard box in my arms. It was indeed snowing outside and I couldn't help but smile every time I as much as glanced through the window. It was another year when my homecountry barely had any snow at all, but here, in St. Petersburg, huge and fluffy snowflakes had been falling from the sky nonstop for two days now and a lot of roads in the city had been closed off.
Luckily, I managed to do all the shopping before-hand. It was very amusing to see Yuri pushing trolley down the aisle with me latched onto his arm like a leech, pointing to various products and making suggestions for Christmas dinner. A lot of people turned to stare at us; it was probably strange to see new GPF gold medalist arguing over low-fat milk with his girlfriend. A few fangirls gawked and squeeled at a sight of their idol looking over grocery list. It was probably hard for them to imagine the Ice Tiger of Russia being so mundane, so...domestic.
We started dating only recently, when Yuri was finally able to take his mind of competing and focus on being a teenager again. There was a good few months' gap until Four Continents and Yuri decided to spend this time relaxing after stressful season with me by his side.
"You helped me win gold as much as Yakov and Lilia did. You deserve to get a little vacation, especially after what happened during Rostelecom Cup.(AN: And what do we have here? A spoiler!) Besides, I don't think that you want to be in Hasetsu rigth now, since these two idiots finally made up and now are all over each other." He tried to reason with me immediately after Finals in Barcelona so instead of pointing out a few holes in his logic, albeit hesitantly, I decided to agree and just roll with it. Now I can only say one thing - I regret nothing.
Right now we were planing to celebrate Christmas together, visiting Yuri's grandpa the day after or as soon as this heavy snowfall stops. We tried to think about New Year, but due to Yuri's busy schedule it was practically impossible. Grand Prix was finally over but numerious press conferences, interviews and photoshoots took its place and neither Yuri nor I were very happy about it - he, because constantly being swarmed by paparazzis or fangirls or, usually, both tired him out and me, because being in an official relationship with ice skating champion placed me in a spotlight which I tried to avoid as much as possible. Luckily, we were able to celebrate Christmas together and this thought kept us both going.
I placed a box on a ground carefully, as to not break its contents. After a lot of negotiating and arguing (which ended up with me winning because I used pleading eyes first) I finally got Yuri's permission and blessing to decorate his apartment. Being a sore loser he is, Yuri practically locked up in a kitchen to make his grandpa's infamous kadsudon piroszhki and pout about losing to me for such a trivial thing. But that's what I loved about our relationship - we would always bicker and tease each other about even the simplest and smallest things but it was always playful, and never hurtful, offensive.
I sized up a tall plastic Christmas tree, my brow furrowed in thought. How should I decorate it? Should I go for something tastefully fancy or slightly messy but homey? Then I looked towards wooden door that led to a kitchen and thought about young teen, working hard behind them. I thought about the last three weeks and how hectic they were. The answer is obvious.
I always had a lot of fun, picking out a colorful bauble and then hanging it on a branch where I think it would fit the best. Coordinating their colours, sizes, shapes, patterns and matterials to creating something beautiful that would bring Christmas spirit always had this calming effect on me. A soft music played out of my phone nearby, all of songs picked out specifically to create and represent certain mood. It helped me to do all work faster and even now I didn't even noticed when the tree had been decorated, leaving me to place the last piece. A golden star on top of it.
I bit my lip and looked around for something that would help me to do it before sighing dejectedly after seeing none. I stood there, eyeing an unfairly tall tree and my stupid height that stopped changing four years ago. Why do I have to be so short?!
I sighed, defeated, and was about to call for Yuri when a pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around my waist, hoisting me up and giving me a perfect opportunity to place a piece of ornament in its rightful place.Speak of the devil...
"Here. Is that better?"
I turned around as soon as my feet touched the ground only to meet a pair of viridescent eyes, amused glint clearly visible in them.
"Much. Thank you." I smiled warmly at their owner before glancing over his shoulder, to look at the kitchen. "How's cooking going?"
"Almost done." Yuri inspected accomplishments I did during last two hours before giving me his verdict. "I like what you did to the living room. It feels very cosy."
"I know, right?" I couldn't help but grin mischieviously, thinking of a little trap I set up.
"What's so funny?" Amusement turned into suspicion and my grin widened. Apparently Yuri got accustomed to my troublemaker antics.
"Oh, nothing. I'm just glad to be here with you." I waved off dismissively, trying to chance the topic and play off as if nothing's unusual. Yuri, however, didn't seem to be convinced so I decided to change my tactic and peck him quickly on a lips before darting to a kitchen. There were another two ways that helped me win in arguments: confusing to the point were he gives up and embarassing Yuri by initiating a kiss, hug or any other physical contact. Despite it being nothing new to us, Yuri still turned into a blushing and stuttering mess every time I decided to be bold with him.
"S-Sophia!" he cried out exasperatedly and chased after me but halted abruptly as soon as he got a good look at my expression.
I stood there, rooted to a ground and taking in piles of dirty dishes and flour stains that covered almost every visible surface. It smelled of cinnamon, sugar powder and oranges but I felt to mortified by a mess to trully appreciate sweet and mouth-watering scents.
I threw a quick glance at a wristwatch and sighed in relief. It was around 6 pm. We still have some time.
"I'll wash dishes. You clean up the rest."
"What movie would you like to watch?" I called out to Yuri while placing a plate of soft and sweet Danish pastries on a coffee table.
"I don't know." Came his answer from behind me and I turned around to see Yuri holding a tray with piroszhki and two steaming mugs of hot chocolade with mini marshmellows on top. "Comedy?"
"Hmm." Yuri gave me a responsibility to pick out movies and I tried to choose something that both of us would find enjoyable. Luckily, our tastes weren't that much apart and so far I was successful in this mission. In exchange, Yuri planned out our dates and activities during free time. "How does Nightmare Before Christmassound to you?"
"Yeah, okay."
I saw Yuri going to a guest room (where he graciously offered me to sleep during my time in Russia) to take a few pillows and blankets out of closet cabinet and smiled. Despite his tough and rude attitude, skater actually enjoyed cuddling (not that he ever say it out loud). That's what Yuri shared with his Siberian Forest Cat*, Taiga**. They both were suckers for cuddling. Especially with me.
"Give me a couple of minutes. I'm going to change into something more comfortable." I warned Yuri before going to my temporar bedroom and slipped into black leggings, tank top, oversized sweater with Scandinavic patterns and knitted socks that reached my mid-calves. I let my light brown hair fall freely over my shoulders. After looking my reflection in a mirror up and down, I nodded, satisfied with results and returned back to the living room. Even though I'm going to spend this evening watching movie with a mug of hot chocolade and besides Yuri no one is going to see me, I wanted to look at least presentable. The fact that I have a boyfriend doesn't mean I should stop taking proper care of myself.
"Wow." I gasped at such a cozy and homey sight. Delicious food and drinks, comfort zone with piles of pillows and fuzzy blankets, a good movie, adorable kitten that was staring at Christmas tree with round and curious eyes. And, of course, Yuri. The most important element, a person whose presence itself gave meaning and feeling to all this celebration.
"I thought you would like that." He looked away embarassed, a light pink adorning his cheeks. My heart skipped a beat at how adorable Yuri looked. Fighting down a squeel I stepped closer to still blushing boy and wrapped my arms around his slim waist, pulling into a tight and loving hug. Yuri tensed for a moment before relaxing and hugging me back.
"You were right. I love it." Pulling away, I gestured towards sofa and a little feast on a coffee table. "Come on. I'm starving.
Finally, after getting my stomach full, I leaned back on a sofa comfortably and let out a content sigh.
"Ever thought about becoming Chef after retiring from skating? In a very very far future that is." I asked Yuri with a soft and playful smile as he plopped himself by my side, allowing me to lean against his shoulder comfortably.
"I never thought that far ahead. I'm not going to retire for atleast ten years." He wrapped one arm around my waist and looked down at me with a smirk playing on his lips. "Who knew that you can be satisfied so easily with a good homecooked meals."
"That's because I love food! And don't even deny you don't share these feelings! Otherwise we wouldn't have spent all these evenings teaching each other our national cuisine." I got an idea and grinned mischieviously. "As for satisfying my other needs... Look up."
Yuri stared at me for a moment, trying to gauge a sign of any deceit, before giving up and complying. Above our heads hung a little branch of mistletoe, tied to a string and swaying lightly.
"How did you-" Yuri was about to ask but I quickly kissed him, effectively shutting him up. I could feel shock and surprise radiating off of him but it was short-lived. Soon enough another arm wrapped itself around me, bringing me closer. It was sweet and loving, because both of us poured our feelings for each other into that kiss; into every kiss. We never said these three words for each other. It's not necessary. Actions speak louder than words and both of us chose to show our true feelings by little, everyday gestures that held even more meaning and feeling that any words ever could. Yuri, always holding door for me or carrying my bag. Reminding me to eat three times a day and get enough sleep when we are temporary separated by his busy schedule. Me, massaging his tense shoulders after tough day. Keeping in mind his athlete diet when preparing dinner. Giving him space or attaching myself like a wet leaf if he needs me. Never getting offended or insulted by any words that may come out of his mouth because I know he doesn't mean them and defense mechanism is just too strong. We convey to each other 'I love you' with every cup of tea or coffee brought to bed, with every pair of spare gloves brought in case one of us would forget to bring for one of our walks in the city. We say that with every goodnight kiss on a forehead before retreating to our respective rooms or with every supportive squeeze of a hand when it's needed. And although we never outright told each other about feelings, swelling in our chest, we knew. And it was more than enough to make us feel whole again.
"Now you satisfied all of them." I whispered softly as we pulled away and brougt our foreheads together. I could see a light blush creeping on Yuri's face, but his loving eyes and tender smile was what mattered to me the most. He was about to say something when a something jumped between us with a loud 'Meow!'.
"Taiga!" Yuri exclaimed, jumping back in surprise while I glared at a fluffy cat that stared at me innocently.
"Couldn't you wait for a minute or two? We were having a moment!" I scolded adorable intruder but Taiga just blinked at me before curling in my lap and starting to purr loudly. Immediately all my resentment melted away and I chuckled lightly before petting a ball of fur. "I guess it's true what they say - pets and their owners become alike as time goes by."
I remembered all times when Yuri purposely got between Viktor and Yuuri to end their endless flirting sessions. Personally, I didn't mind their lovey dovey act and usually even left them alone to let them enjoy each others company in privacy but Yuri found all that ordeal to be disgusting or at least mildly disturbing and gagged every time the two as much as looked at each other.
"Oi, what is that supposed to mean?!" A skater whose warmth and embrace I was enjoying huffed indignantly and I laughed slightly.
"It means that I can put both you and your cat to sleep when I pet you. Or play with your hair, in your case." There's no way I would say what I really thought at the time. Deep down Yuri supports his two friends and their relationship but he's cross about admitting it. I outright ship Viktuuri to the point about nagging them to let me organise their wedding, and because of that Yuri and I sometimes find each other not on the same page. And at the moments like these it's best to play safe.
And right now, I ran my fingers through Yuri's long and soft hair, earning a blush from him. He automatically leaned into my touch before turning his head abruptly, the red on his cheeks intensifying.
"T-That's n-not true, Baka!" Yuri's voice cracked from embarassment and I giggled. Oh, my dear tsundere kitten. It's always so interesting to see his reactions to my little physical quirks.
"Liar liar pants on fire." I continued to tease playfully, not willing to let him off the hook so easily. Yuri used his hair like a curtain to hide from me and I noticed just how longer they got during these past few weeks, now fully falling on his shoulders. "You know, a month or two and we will have to change your nickname from Russian Fairy to Russian Elf. Because even now every time you mention growing out your hair, I immediately think about Legolas from Lord of the Rings." I twirled one golden strand between my fingers before letting go.
"Russian Elf?" Yuri looked at me questioningly and I nodded.
"Yeah. Elves are still lithe, graceful and beautiful, but it's more masculine than Fairies. Though I told you already, why being called Fairy is nothing bad." My mind flashed to that day in studio when I gave Yuri a full lecture on his many nicknames and why he shouldn't be salty about them.
"Russian Elf, huh..? I like that." Light green eyes met my carribean blue ones, a happy spark in them filling me with warmth. This got me every time and so much, I found myself prioritizing Yuri's happiness over my own. It took me some time to realize that his smile was all I needed to be happy.
My eyelids became heavier with every passing minute and although Nightmare Before Christmas was a good choice for this Christmas celebration/Movie night, a warmth radiating from both Yuri, who had his arms around me comfortably, and sleeping Taiga, which still slept on my lap peacefully, lulled me to close my eyes and join Siberian Forest Cat in a dreamland. I felt my head slowly sliding down from Yuri's shoulder on his chest before landing in his lap. Yuri shifted slightly, adjusting to a change in my position before running one hand through my hair. This gesture only added to a wave of drowsiness that threatened to overcome my body and I found myself fighting it to stay awake.
A pair of soft lips touched my temple and a light shiver ran down my spine. "Sleep." Barely audible whisper and warm breath against my skin sent another shiver, probably to keep company to the first one. I looked at a figure, leaning and looming over me, a sense of security washing over my senses.
"Merry Christmas, Elf." I manage to whisper before giving in to a power of exhaustion from today's chores and preparations, feeling a force of sleep tucking every cell in my body in a cotton sheets of relaxation.
"Merry Christmas, Soph."
*Peaks inside with Christmas hat on her head and a glass of eggnog in one hand*
So, what do you think? I know, I fell under the curse of cliche writing. But that's how I imagine their relationship. Nothing too sappy, no fake, forced cheesiness. Something natural and pure.
*I wasn't sure about this one so I did a little research and looked it up at Wikia page, Yuri Plisetsky Trivia.
**Unfortunately, name wasn't mentioned so I made it up. Dunno, seems fitting.
I actually enjoyed writing this special. And I was thinking to do a New Year one too. If you'd like that, if course. Would you?
Feel free to comment this extra chapter. Leave a review or PM me, whichever you prefer is fine. Let me know if you want me to continue writing Special Celebration Chapters from now on. I've been thinking something along the lines of New Year, Valentine's Day, Easter Day, ect.
See you in the next chapter!