As we all know, Yurio has no filter, he says whatever he wants without worrying about the consequence. Other than Lilia, no one corrects him, they see it as a part of his personality. But what if one time he says something nasty without thinking, obviously not meaning it, but his words come true. This is that story.
Hints at Otayuri, but you can see it as platonic if you want to. JJbella is the other main pair in this story.
The event was Skate America, and the very last competitor of the men's short program enthralled the audience. It was someone Yuri met for seconds that morning, some over enthusiastic kid just a year younger. Yuri made it clear to his junior he didn't care to get to know him and no more words had been shared.
Thus far the ice tiger of Russia held second place, a fact that boiled his blood. Sure he had won at last year's grand prix, and the pressure to excel again this year from both fans and his coach alike bore down on him. Already dreading the lecture he'd receive from Yakov for messing up that second to last jump, Yuri opted taking the long route back, besides there was someone he wanted to speak with.
The audience's cheers reached Yuri's ears backstage. He wore headphones, but had yet to select a song, as he wore them more to bar others from speaking to him. An increase in volume of shouts clued the sixteen-year-old that the young skater finished his program. The announcer would likely tell the world how that upstart was someone to closely watch, how he did fantastic for his age, something Yuri learned to tolerate his debut year in the senior division.
The young skater perked up at seeing his closest friend waiting a few feet ahead. Otabek Altin, currently in third place, gave his younger friend a rare smile and quick wave of his hand.
"You did good, Yura," Otabek offered.
Yuri tried his best not to blush, but he felt his cheeks light up and an involuntary smile spread across his face. Luckily there were no cameras backstage for he wasn't in the mood to listen to Mila's teasing when he arrived home in a few days.
He shook away the thoughts. "I screwed up at the end," the blond said.
Otabek hummed. "You recovered, and your score didn't suffer much."
For a moment Otabek considered sharing how Yuri never broke concentration during the stumble. Surely the judges must have noticed as it was difficult not to see the focus in the young man's eyes his entire performance in the rink.
Yuri opened his mouth, but before he could speak, a third person called out.
"Hey, Otabek!" JJ yelled as he closed in on the two.
Yuri narrowed his eyes and gritted his teeth. His least favorite competitor and the one who just so happened to currently be in first place stood six feet behind him.
Otabek straightened his posture and greeted the new person with a grunt.
JJ sidestepped Yuri and threw an arm around Otabek.
"You tried that new jump I showed you and not bad," JJ said grinning. "Still not up to perfection, but hey it'll take a while 'til you're on par with me." He pointed his thumb at himself.
Again Otabek grunted and attempted to move out of JJ's hold.
The Canadian patted the other man on the back. "Hey, how 'bout you join me and Isabella for dinner tonight? She actually likes you."
"He doesn't want to hang out with you, asshole!" Yuri spat.
The other two stared at the blond.
Yuri clicked his tongue and continued, "Why don't you disappear. Make everyone's day better."
"Yurio," JJ greeted with a smile. "The invitation's open for you too."
"Yeah right," Yuri snapped.
"Like a hostile kitten, am I right?" JJ teased with a loud laugh.
Otabek noticed the smallest skater seething. He tried to stop JJ before the full tempest was released, but the self-dubbed king was never one on picking up visual cues.
"Hope you two will join me on the podium tomorrow." JJ winked a blue eye at Yuri and said with a smug grin, "Cheer me on, okay?"
Yuri stomped his foot and advanced on JJ. Otabek grabbed Yuri's shoulders and pulled the hissing teenager away.
"Just go die, you jackass!" Yuri snapped.
"Point taken," JJ said with his arms halfway up. His gaze landed on the Kazakh. "Invitation's open, Otabek."
The nineteen-year-old sighed. "Not tonight," he said. He then looked down at the Russian who appeared to have slightly calmed.
"Tomorrow then," JJ replied. "Well, Isabella's waiting, we'll talk later." He patted Otabek on the shoulder then headed for the exit.
Otabek replied with a nod.
Once Leroy was out of vision Otabek released his hold on the tiny blond.
"I am perfectly capable of answering for myself," Otabek chided.
Yuri turned his head and frowned at the taller man. "You're too nice, Beka. Just tell him straight."
"He's not so bad once you get to know him," Otabek offered.
Yuri clicked his tongue then retorted, "I'll take your word for it." He crossed his arms and followed Otabek towards the exit opposite of the one JJ took. "But I suppose since I cost you dinner, I owe you a meal."
Otabek made a sound between a strangled chuckle and a hum, but Yuri knew it was the former.
Yuri and Otabek returned to the hotel a little after nine. They had supped at a local cafe that had apparently received good reviews. Yuri wasn't too impressed with the food, but Otabek didn't seem to mind.
The blond took a deep breath realizing sooner or later he'd have to face Yakov not only for the flaw in his performance earlier that cost him first place, but also heading out without permission. At the very least he responded to Lilia's text informing her he was safe and in good company. All he could hope was that the three hours combined with assurance of his safety gave Yakov enough time to cool down.
Otabek offered to walk Yuri to his room, a gesture the latter accepted.
It was a silent stroll, but Yuri preferred quiet company with Otabek over the chattering of his rink-mates any day of the week.
They barely made it to their floor when the two saw Yakov and Lilia speaking with one of the program executives and another person neither one recognized. Fortunately there were no reporters around.
Yakov felt the stare and locked eyes with his youngest student. The balding man's grave countenance caused Yuri's stomach to flip. The coach returned his attention to the two men. Otabek and Yuri stood a few feet away to give the men their privacy, however the look on Yakov's face clued them in that he would need to speak with Yuri before the boy retired for the night.
Parting words were exchanged and the two executives took their leave. Yuri glanced up at the stoic Otabek then returned his gaze to Yakov who with a nod of his head lured Yuri over.
At first Yuri expected a lecture. He stopped a few feet short of Yakov who let out a disheartening sigh. Not annoyance and certainly not anger, but something possibly worse. Again Yuri's stomach performed a somersault. Had he unknowingly broken some rule that got him disqualified?
"Yuri, you are currently in first place," Yakov informed him.
Yuri perked up. Had there been a miscalculation? A judge gave an accidental incorrect score? His heart inflated at the thought of JJ's face when he heard the news. However one look at Yakov's face and all glee diminished.
"Leroy won't be participating in the event tomorrow," said Yakov.
Had...had JJ done something to get himself disqualified? Most likely he ran his mouth to the wrong person. But why would that bother Yakov?
"How come?" asked Otabek.
How quick Yuri had forgotten his best friend stood two feet behind him. He glanced up through stray blond strands at the slightly taller man then turned back to his coach. Curiosity had won him over as well.
"You'll find out soon enough," Yakov said more to himself than his student. "Leroy was in a horrible car crash earlier. He's at the hospital."
Yuri assumed it was the shock of the news that stunned him. He heard Otabek's breathing hitch.
"Is he okay?" Otabek asked.
"No," Yakov answered with a firm shake of his head.
"But...but he'll live...right?" Yuri asked.
"There's a chance, but not a big one," Yakov answered.
Yuri's eyes widened.
"Get some rest, Yura," Yakov ordered. He put a large hand on Yuri's shoulder.
A chill slid down his spine causing him to move away from his coach's touch.
"These things happen, you can't let it affect your performance," Yakov said. In a firmer tone he added, "Now go rest."
Yakov's words sounded like a muffled echo to Yuri, as though he floated beneath the smooth surface of a pool or a lake. He turned and his legs struggled to make it to his door. All he could think of were the last words he said to JJ: Just go die.
And that ends chapter one on a dramatic note. I haven't decided yet whether or not JJ will live, but at the very least he is critically injured. This story just branched out of a thought of what would happen if Yuri's careless words happened to come true. The be careful what you say kind of thing.
Also, Otabek is difficult to write. I hope I got his character right here.
If you have any suggestions of what you would like to happen in the next chapter such as Yuri's reactions or thoughts, or anything else, feel free to share. Thanks for reading.