Author's Notes: Wow…I think the most popular word in the reviews was "NOOOOOO!"

My work here is done.

Happy New Year Everyone!

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Highlights in Hasetsu – Part 2

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Otabek wasn't sure how the impact from a plush tiger could leave such a throbbing in the back of his head. It had actually rendered him motionless for a couple of seconds, having bounced off his head with a faint squeak—the stuffing having no doubt, threatened, to escape due to the sheer force.

"You can't just say shit like that and threaten to leave, you asshole!"

Correction. The Kazakh knew exactly how a plush tiger, driven at your head by Yuri Plisetsky could hurt…

He pinched the bridge of his nose. Perhaps admitting his non-platonic emotions, taking Yuri's silence as the final nail in the coffin, and then further stating that he was going back to the inn to collect his things and head home, had not been the best course of action?

The brunette's social skills were lackluster at best…

He slowly turned to face the ticking time bomb behind him. He'd seen others on the receiving end of those piercing green eyes. It wasn't something the older teen was looking forward to…

Yet when he turned he saw the blond to be rather calm, a soft tinge on his pale cheeks as he leaned against the rail of the bridge. It reminded Otabek of Barcelona, when they stood at Park Guell, overlooking the city.

The Kazakh was contemplating the best plan of approach, when Yuri's voice invaded his thoughts.

"Why?" it was a softly spoken question, as he gazed out over the water's edge. "Why would you feel that way about someone like me?"

Almond irises widened in response to the raw emotion behind those words.

"…My own parents didn't even want me…" continued the beautiful boy at his side, (jade eyes clouded with some unspoken memory), his demeanor calm, "…so why would you?"

The sound of a fish breaking the surface of the water, causes a rippling effect both on the reflection of the city's lights and in Otabek's heart. They stand in companionable silence, their actions mirroring one another's—arms against the bridge rail, torsos slightly bent, the quiet lapping of waves below.

This isn't a question that can be rushed to be answered…it requires some thought and a repertoire of emotions that neither readily possesses.

The normal masculine quality in his voice seems to betray him, his mouth feels dry, "…Because I see something in you, Yura…something that most people aren't given the opportunity to. It happens when we talk…"

Yuri's gaze shifted toward the older teen, as Otabek continued, "you don't put on airs around me, and I've never been more comfortable..."

"It's because you're the fucking coolest person I know," interjected the blond, as he anchored his attention on his friend, "it's not like I have many people to talk to."

Otabek knew this to be true, as evidenced by Yuri's abrasive nature—he was brutally honest and did not mince his words. Yet, he respected him for it and always knew where he stood with the Russian.

"…But it's more than that," continued the brunette with a steady breath, "it's how you inspire me on the ice, and how I am always thinking about you…"

Yuri let these words resonate into his mind. It was Otabek saying them, so it was alright. He needn't feel anger over them, even if he didn't fully comprehend them. Sincerity was new to the younger boy—he wasn't accustomed to people wanting him.

"Otaya, you probably need your head examined…" his voice laced with sarcasm, as the Russian continued, "you do realize, you like me because of my personality, right?"

The upturn of the brunette's lips didn't go undetected, "It surprised me, too."

They both chuckled into the quiet night before Yuri turned toward him. Otabek's eyes widened, seeing Yuri's outstretched hand.

"So you'll stay," his emerald eyes shifted for a moment, a hint of pink on his cheeks, before seeming to make up his mind. The blond fixed his piercing irises on the Kazakh again, they seemed to hold a quiet resolution, "so we can figure this shit out?"

He took hold of Yuri's hand and felt the confidence within its grip. Their linked hands seeming to say, we're going to be fine.

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The walk back wasn't awkward, it was full of insight and observation…

"These fucking shoes are uncomfortable."

Otabek nodded, because they really were.

"I think we'd be better off walking barefoot," huffed the blond at his side, "at least the food was good…"

"It was," agreed the Kazakh, holding his bear plush, while his companion carried the retrieved tiger in hand.

"I say we ditch these clothes, grab our shorts and cannon ball into one of those hot tubs," offered the Russian with a smirk.

"Works for me," stated his companion, the light of the inn coming into view.

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Yuri gave an exaggerated sigh as he flopped onto the bed, face down and sprawling out for emphasis, in a tiger shirt and black shorts.

Otabek chuckled, this kid was dramatic, but he loved him. He stood with his arms crossed, wearing a gray tank top and matching pair of pajama pants.

Yuri's hair was still damp and loose, shielding his face as he sighed into his pillow.

"Yura…"

"Hmm?"

"Are we really…alright?"

The uncertainty in his voice seemed to ring out through the room. I mean, it was kind of odd, having confessed his feelings less than two hours ago and now Otabek felt like it was some sort of a dream.

Yuri turned his head, his hair moving away to reveal his sharp cheek bone and narrowed eye as he regarded his best friend.

"I said we were, didn't I?"

The Kazakh sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "You did," he affirmed, "and that we would figure it out."

"And we will," reiterated the blond, "You don't believe me?"

The irritated huff hadn't gone unnoticed. Otabek shifted his weight as he stood, "I don't know what to think right now."

Yuri sat up with a grumpy expression on his features and settled on sitting cross legged on the bed.

"Look, the other night when you were sick, you kind of said a bunch of shit…"

Otabek blanched, he hadn't looked this way since Yuri had tracked him to that nightclub in Barcelona.

"…You were talking about someone who you loved…"

Oh my God.

The blonde averted his eyes in an attempt to make things a little easier on both of them, a hint of pink on his cheeks.

"…while you kind of used me as a teddy bear…" he then added with a sense of bravado, "which I have photographic evidence of for blackmail purposes."

I want to die!

Seeing Otabek's not so stoic reaction, caused the blond to grin for a moment, "Of course, I didn't know that someone was me. I only knew that you had told me that when you did meet someone we'd still be friends."

There was an evident pink hue on the older teen's darkened skin. He tried to look casual, arms crossed, weight shifting as he failed miserably.

"So it got me thinking," Yuri looked pissed off about the entire stupid conversation, "that I didn't really mind you and there was no fucking way that I would waste my time caring for someone like Viktor or Katsudon…"

They really were a lot alike. Awkward as hell when it came to emotions, but somehow the words were reaching the other.

"There's no way we're going to be as gross as the geezer and his pig…"

"I should hope not."

They both smirked at one another.

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They'd watched some low budget movie on Netflix before falling asleep. Yuri lay quietly in the dark on his side mirroring his sleeping companion.

It gave him time to think, time to feel in the privacy of his own thoughts…

His whole life had revolved around two things: taking care of his grandfather and skating. His first friend, sleeping next to him, hadn't happened until he was 15…he was certain most people had friends before then. His only friend had been a Ragdoll by the name of Potya, who he had bought after winning his first Junior World Championship. He would be 17 in a few months and it wasn't until recently that his views about the Kazakh had begun to shift.

It wasn't a secret that other than his grandfather, Otabek was the only tolerable person in his life.

Correction, there was one more thing that he had grown accustomed to in his life…

People usually left, and he was usually the reason for it.

He hadn't lied, they were going to sort this shit out. Yuri would be lying to himself though if he said the idea of losing the Kazakh hadn't crossed his mind.

The Russian closed his eyes for a moment thinking back to the other night…

"…Yura?"

Yuri really wished that Otabek would either A. relinquish his hold on him or B. go the fuck to sleep.

"Yes?" he replied, because his friend was sick and it was only close to two in the morning.

"How do you tell someone…" murmured his feverish captor, "that you love them…without scaring them away?"

HUH?!

How the hell should he know?!

"I-I don't know…" fumbled the blond.

His eyes softened as a thought entered his mind, 'Otabek has met someone.'

"I guess," considered Yuri for a moment, "you just have to fucking tell them and hope that they aren't an asshole?"

Otabek chuckled, the vibration from his chest flowing into Yuri in the process.

It would be alright, they still had a full week together to sort through everything…

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Breakfast wasn't out of the ordinary and nothing had outwardly shifted in their relationship. Yuri was packing the food away and how anyone could look that cute with bits of food attached to their face was a mystery to Otabek.

Phichit had taken an early morning flight, Viktor and Chris had drank too much the night before and Katsuki had yet to make his appearance.

Leo and Guang sat across from them talking about social media and their upcoming competitions. It seemed that both were keen on meeting Yuri at a championship, much to the surprise of the Russian.

"You're skating is really amazing," complimented Guang with a smile.

Yuri found that these two, he could more readily tolerate, than some of the other members of the skating community. The blond always seemed a little off when dealing with sincerity, so he merely nodded.

"You should try choosing your own music, like you did in your exhibition skate," offered Leo, taking a sip of his tea, "It'd make a bigger impact on your performance."

Emerald eyes seemed to be honestly considering their words, as Otabek sat quietly alongside of the Russian, happy that he hadn't left on an evening flight.

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"Alright, Katsudon," announced the blonde, hair pulled back, adorned in black training pants, cheetah print sneakers and his Bosco jacket, as he regarded the Japanese man with his arms crossed, "Viktor says you've gained weight and—

Katsuki seemed to wince, "Yurio, I—

"Since you've been eating and drinking, I'm saddled with your ass today for training."

Yuri Plisetsky, did not mince his words. Katsuki mumbled, "…I'm pretty sure you eat more than me…"

"Did you say something, Buta?" came an irritated response from the imposing Russian Ice Tiger.

Yuri hadn't had any real growth spurts or noticeable changes in his body, but his presence could still fill a room and scare off most.

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Otabek, Leo and Guang were working on their stretches from across the way and the consensus seemed to be pity for Katsuki.

Leo looked over in mid pushup and sighed, "How many crunches is that?"

Guang came up in his push and pondered, watching as the two simultaneously went on the board, "I admire their determination."

Otabek merely looked on with one thought in between his own pushup, Katsuki was going to be dead by lunch and Yuri was going to be famished.

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A familiar sound entered the Kazakh's ears, it was one of the playlists he had given to Yuri. Leo and Guang seemed interested.

"Leo, this music is great, no?"

"Sure is. I wonder what it is?"

The stoic brunette offered, "It's mine. I made it for Yuri…"

At which point, he now understood why the Russian clammed up when under the scrutiny of these two.

"It's amazing!" they both cheered, their bubbly expressions and the close proximity of their faces to his, making him feel more than a little self-conscious.

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Somehow Otabek had fallen prey to his workout partners as they all peeked around the corner to find Yuri and Katsuki in a room with two treadmills.

"This music is really great, Yurio," complimented Katsuki with a genuine smile.

"Right?," agreed Yuri, pointing his index finger upward with a fierce grin, "Otabek made it, so you know it's going to be fucking cool."

The Kazakh could feel two sets of eyes, seemingly grinning at him, in response to the Russian's statement. He was trying very hard to keep his stoicism in place, but the pink hue was threatening his features.

"Don't think you're going to distract me though," informed Yuri with a huff, "We're going to get that disgusting gut of yours under control, because if I beat you, while you're in this condition," he seemed to accentuate the so called this by gesturing with his hands the unseemly shape of Katsuki's gut and looked disgusted, while the Japanese man's head hung lower, "it won't really be a win."

Leo and Guang whispered simultaneously, "So cruel…"

Both assumed positions on their treadmills as the next song hit the speakers…

Otabek felt really bad for Katsuki because this was a long remix he had created. He felt worse when he saw the Russian grin with no remorse before hitting the control panel of Katsuki's machine and watched as the treadmill increased its speed, at the song's crescendo.

"Yurio!" cried Katsuki, stumbling once before falling back into place.

Russia's Ice Tiger merely laughed, as he ran along side of his greatest rival, emerald eyes shining with mirth.

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They were all on the ice for yet another Viktor Nikiforov bonding experience…

"Let's just skate for fun!" announced Viktor with a smile.

And that's exactly what they were doing…

Yuri couldn't remember the last time he had just skated for fun. Did that even exist anymore in competitive skating? Apparently fun came with some hiccups as the lights dimmed, with all the added effects of the disco era, and the music was a far cry from what they normally listened to.

"Huh?!"

The Russian watched as Leo and Guang skated by with much enthusiasm with their hands in the air and the swinging of hips to Caramelldansen.

He and Otabek seemed to skate in slow motion at the very sight. Yet it got worse…

"Yurio! You should try this," exclaimed Viktor with far too much gusto as he and Katsuki skated past them, not missing a beat in time with the music.

"You're an embarrassment to our country!" The irate tiger shook his fist at his happy go lucky countryman.

And it only got better…

Apparently Chris felt that he needed to melt the ice with a little uptown funk

Otabek and Yuri managed to narrowly miss the Swiss as he inconveniently decided to come on the ice in their path.

"Oi! Don't do that shit here," huffed the tiger, rejoining the Kazakh in their skate.

Otabek believed Yuri's statement was loud enough for the both of him, although he did have a strained expression on his face as Chris sat provocatively.

"Wow! Amazing," announced Viktor with a clap for emphasis as he and Katsuki skated by on the outside.

"Viktor…don't encourage him…" murmured the Japanese man, feeling overcome by such a strong eros.

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And better…

"Are those losers really playing tag?" observed Yuri with a sigh, "What are they 5?"

Otabek looked in the direction of Katsuki who was currently skating after Viktor with a playful, "Viktooooooor," escaping his lips.

Another lap of that shit and…

"Huh?!"

Yuri turned to find that Viktor had the audacity to tap his shoulder.

"You're it, koneko-chan!"

What happened next had all of the skaters—minus the Kazakh—skating for their lives, as the tiger emerged and took off in great strides.

Leo and Guang cried, "He's so fast!"

Katsuki whined, "Viktor, I don't think that was a good idea!"

Otabek felt two things at that moment: one, Yuri could have a fall back career as a speed skater and two, it was like watching National Geographic unfold.

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Apparently Viktor had requested some lame ass 80's song, as the lyrics suggested wanting to dance with somebody and feeling the heat with that somebody…

Yuri had taken the opportunity to get a drink from his water bottle, leaving Otabek to do a few jumps on his own. He came out of his triple and blinked, at the sight of Viktor and Katsuki, happily and albeit a little too quickly, spinning toward him as the lyrics rang out over the speaker system,

I want to dance with somebody who loves me…

The Kazakh inwardly groaned, Oh shit…

But then he felt his hand being tugged and his body pulled forward, looking back as Viktor and Katsuki spiraled into the wall and right over it with fits of laughter.

The brunette fixed his almond eyes on those of the tiger before him. Yuri was skating backwards, the fingers of his left hand laced with Otabek's right.

"You almost became the filling in an ugly ass sandwich," informed the younger teen with a smirk, his hair pushed back due to the speed, and his jade eyes brimming with amusement.

Leo and Guang skated past them, also holding hands, (because pair skating was now a thing or something), and challenged them to a speed skate.

Yuri turned forward, without missing a beat, as Otabek felt the Russian's grip tighten around his own, before taking off after the couple.

Skating was more fun with a partner after all…

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Chris returned home that afternoon, promising Viktor something lewd before his departure.

The days seemed to be traveling all too quickly, as they now sat occupying a blanket on the beach. Katsuki said that it would be one of the best places to see the fireworks as the festival concluded.

Leo and Guang were skipping stones in the moonlight. Viktor and Katsuki's blanket was noted to be placed far far away from the teens.

Yuri leaned back, folding his arm under his head and gazed upward at the night sky. The evening had developed to be too cool to be wearing any of their festive attire, so jeans, hoodies and jackets had sufficed. Otabek had been comfortably gazing upward for a few minutes before his companion joined him.

The stars seemed to dance in the younger teen's jade eyes and his gaze didn't stray when he felt the Kazakh gently take hold of his hand. Otabek's features were calm as he gave Yuri a sideways glance.

They would be going home tomorrow with the knowledge that their relationship was changing.

They both sat up a few minutes later as the first round of fireworks erupted into the night sky with an accompanying crackle. The brightly colored flowers bloomed before their eyes, setting the sky ablaze.

Leo and Guang cheered at the joyous display, Viktor and Katsuki embraced and Otabek's hand tightened around Yuri's. It was a warm feeling, and there was something about the way their hands fit together, that made it feel more intimate.

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The early morning sun was starting to seep in through the blinds of the room. It was warm, no it was more than the sunlight that made the morning warm, and it was the feeling of skin, the softness of breath dancing across his cheek.

Eyelids lifted to reveal golden brown irises, as they focused and took in the sight of a sleeping blond, head resting on the same pillow, forehead against the Kazakh's. Without much thought, Otabek cupped the back of the boy's head, his hand resting in soft golden tresses and closed his eyes once more.

There wasn't anything more than this that the brunette required, but feeling the Russian reach up, tousling his undercut in the process, and unconsciously pull closer, might have been more rewarding than any medal.

Later they would return to their own countries, return to mastering their routines and look forward to the podium at the European FS Championship in Moscow…

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