(To check out some of my drawings of Osha, check out my Pinterest – daisy0754)
Previously in, "The Charms of a Nikiforov":
"Please Oshi, look after him…I need you to take care of him. I know you can do it," he whispered in her ear, before kissing her cheek and walking out the door.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters, nor the universe of Yuri! On Ice – they all belong to Kubo 3, nor do I own any of the famous skaters, jumps, music etc. I only own my OC's and this story.
Chapter 13
Yuri vs. Yuri, The Horror! Rostelecom Cup, Free Skate
(Ninth Skate)
"Ok Yuri, all we have to do is stay calm, get through today, you'll get into the Grand Prix Final and we'll all be fine…we can do that right? Right?"
Osha tried to grin as she spoke, but it ended up looking like a terrifying grimace that was enough to make any sane person feel uncomfortable. Both of them had small shadows under their eyes, even though they tried denying them when Phichit pointed them out. The Thai skater had insisted on accompanying his friend and future, part-time-coach at the rink-side, seeing as Yakov had merely given the pair a "tch" and a "I will speak to you both at the kiss-and-cry", before walking off with Yurio.
The press and swooped in on this interaction and waved cameras at both Yuri and Osha – seeing as the short girl had a lanyard around her neck saying "coach".
"It didn't look like you talked to Coach Yakov during this mornings practice, how do you feel about that?"
The girl felt her friend tense up and placed a hand on his back.
"I don't think it's a big deal. I'll skate like I always have with Victor and everything will be fine."
Wow, I am SO not convinced by that statement, Yuri.
"And what about you Osha? Seeing as you've stepped in while your brother is away, how do you think today's half of the competition will go?"
The silver-haired girl inhaled deeply and then gave a bright smile, more or less imitating the manner of which Victor would address the public.
"Yuri is a skater who has excelled with every performance he's done this season, and I have every faith he will surprise us again today. Yes, it would have been preferable for Victor to be here, but circumstances couldn't be helped, so I am happy to represent them both today."
She gave them a bright smile, even though inside she felt like she may throw up. Out of the corner of her, she saw Yuri gawking at her and gave the press a wave.
"That's enough questions for now, spasibo! C'mon Yuri, you have to warm up."
Osha gave a light tug on his sleeve. As they got out of earshot, she let out a long sigh and her shoulder's sagged. Phichit had managed to get in step with them and was walking on her other side, so she looked like a midget between the two.
"Wow, Oshi, that was an impressive speech."
Her cheeks flushed at the tanned boy's words. Yuri nodded, now able to manage a stiff smile.
"Yeah, I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here."
"Don't say that, Yuri. You'll be fine."
I have every faith in you.
"Hey guys, look, Emil's skate is about to begin."
"I'm going to go warm up."
Osha nodded. "Da," then she wrapped her arms around her friend and gave him a small hug. "I'll come and get you when it comes to Yurio. Don't get yourself worked up, ok?"
The Japanese man nodded and then walked off, putting his headphones in. It was at that moment, Yakov appeared in front of her, eyebrow raised.
"You'd do well not to coddle him, Oshka. If he is to skate well he needs to learn that strength comes from within."
"Tch, I am not coddling him, Yakov. He needs the support, today more than ever, because Vitya isn't here. Heck, I need the support because he's not here. The last thing I need is for you to be lecturing me right now, I will coach Yuri today my way…your job is merely to observe, not to judge."
Her eyebrows furrowed over and she folded her arms. Yakov, on the other hand, shook his hand, expression loosening and a faint smile appearing on his face. He placed a heavy hand on her shoulder and gave her a wee, affectionate shake.
"That's what I wanted to hear."
"You wanted to hear me insult you?"
"Net, I wanted you to stick up for your methods. A good coach knows when to accept help, but also when to stand by their judgements…you'll do well, Oshka."
She blinked a couple of times. "Spasibo?"
Yakov nodded and then walked back over to his ex-wife and Yurio. The younger Russian boy looked over at her with a firm glare, but she returned it with a smile. Osha then walked back over to Phichit, who'd been thoroughly impressed by her display, and leant her elbows against the rink-side, bending her knee to take the weight off it.
Stupid thing, playing up…I really have to stop being clumsy.
"Hey," A finger brushed her cheek and she looked round at the Thai skater, "you alright, you looked a little lost in thought?"
"Did I? Sorry, just old wounds distracting me."
"Oh…sorry, if this seems a bit forward, but does it hurt often? Your leg?"
They both turned on one elbow to look at each other as the Czech skater continued his programme. Phichit elaborated.
"I mean, I wasn't at that competition, but it circulated the skating world…I would just assume that a leg wound like that would eventually heal."
"I don't really know. I have tried skating, and heck I've even put myself at risk attempting jumps, but fully healed? I don't know about that. I'm out of shape for a figure skater, it's probably best I avoid attracting any more attention to my old career."
From her tone, he could tell she didn't like talking about her accident, nor did she want to pursue the subject any further…so he dropped it and turned to watch as Emil landed a jump. However, he could tell there was more to it, something she was too afraid to admit to herself.
Maybe she might open up to me more over the next few weeks before the final?
Their attention was taken by shouting from the tunnel and they both looked around to see, through the pulled back curtains, the figures of Sara and Mickey. The latter was looking distraught, which caused Osha's eyes to widen and her jaw to drop a little.
She's not…
"Take a look around! I'm not the only woman in the world!"
She is!
"Maybe not, but you're the only woman I care about! I've only come this far because of you! How can I keep skating if you go? Please don't leave me, Sara!"
The Italian girl bristled and grabbed her brother's chin between her fingers. Phichit sent Osha a wide-eyed look that screamed "Do you know what's going on?". Osha nodded to him and felt a groan rise within her as Sara continued talking down to her brother.
"Learn how to be strong, because not only am I going to skate without you, but I'm going to start dating!"
With that statement, Sara stormed off, leaving Michele crushed and alone. Osha sucked in a breath through gritted teeth, debating whether or not to chase after her friend. In the end, she decided a brief text would suffice in getting her message across to Sara.
Sara, I know that Mickey is overprotective, but belittling him like that and abandoning him in the middle of a competition was a selfish thing to do. He just loves you, remember that. He will respect your decision xx
No reply came, as she saw Mickey walk up to the side with his coach, just as Emil failed a jump.
"He's beginning to tire…you don't even need to be a coach to see that."
"Da, doing four quads is an ambitious programme. I don't think he'll land the combination he has lined up."
Sure enough, Emil flopped his combination, much to the cringed faces of Osha and Phichit. The crowd was behind him, though, as he managed to get to the end of his programme – panting heavily as he struggled to get his breath back. Michele replaced him on the ice, a solemn look upon his face. The Russian girl tilted her head as the Italian came to a stop and his music begun.
"He looks very handsome in his purple suit."
Phichit felt his eyes narrow and he let out a puff of air, leaning onto the side.
"If you like that sort of thing."
Osha, still gazing out and completely oblivious to the Thai boy's hange in mood, found herself saying. "You look pretty handsome in your outfits, too." Which then caused them both to blush shyly.
Why did I say that?! I'm going to be coaching him! Focus on Mickey's skating, woman!
The romantic melody of the music created a quiet, relaxed mood in the room – though Osha could see that the skater was putting his full emotions into his performance, the heartbreak clear in the movement of his body and the expressions of his face.
He's letting her go.
"Amazing, that was flawless."
"He's definitely changed since yesterday."
"Mhm."
She relaxed a little, gently leaning on the boy next to her as the audience applauded the Italian skater. Behind them, Yuri smiled gently, having come back a little early, and quietly took a picture. The audience went wild as Michele received a new personal best. Both Osha and Phichit found themselves laughing, thought, when Sara ran and hugged her brother, her cheeks tear-stained, before loudly exclaiming that Seung-Gil was about to start and dashing off.
"Does she have a crush on Seung-Gil or something?"
"I think so."
"Haha, but he's so grumpy!"
"I know right!"
Unfortunately, the South Korean skater suffered a bad case of nerves throughout his performance. Both the Thai and Russian skaters commented from the side, pointing out the flaws within the programme because of the nerves. Blue-eyes followed the older skater as he walked out with his coach and her heart pitied him a little as she could see the tears he was desperately trying to hold back.
Maybe he's not so grumpy after all?
Had she wanted to talk to Phichit in the next second, she wouldn't have been able to due to the amount of rapturous applause in the stadium. It was all for Yurio – who looked stunning in his pink and black outfit, hair neatly braided back into a ponytail. Osha shouted several "Udachi"'s before settling in silence to watch his performance. She would get Yuri once it began.
"Look at the way he moves!"
"It's because he's young. We would've been able to do that at 15, remember! But he did jump a little high in that triple axel…I think he may be pushing himself a little because of the pressure from JJ and Yuri's programmes."
Phichit's grey eyes looked down at her, finding her to be following Yurio's every move.
"Really?"
"Da, he is desperate to win the gold in his debut season."
"So, no pressure for me then?"
"You can win gold, but winning isn't everything. Holy crap that was a hellish sequence…how can he keep his breath."
"How many jumps has he got planned for this half?"
"….I don't know….six?"
They both gawked and stared out at the young skater, who showed no signs of slowing down. Osha touched Phichit's hand.
"I'm going to get Yuri, ok?"
"Ok."
She vanished and soon found her friend. He looked paler than usual, and very miserable. His spirits had fallen a little watching Yurio's performance as his nerves had increased. He didn't want to fail Victor, or Osha. His hands shook as he waited to step onto the ice.
"Yuri…"
He turned and Osha stood on her toes, to wrap her arms round his neck. She whispered in his ear and kissed his cheek.
"Skate for him."
Yuri nodded, swallowing a mouthful of butterflies as she patted his shoulders and stroked the lapels of his jacket. She then sent him off with a smile, before beginning to gnaw nervously on the nail of her thumb. She ran back over to Phichit and watched as the performance began.
"C'mon Yuri…"
Her voice was quiet, but the Thai skater felt a small smile creep onto his face as he watched her. The way her jaw stiffened when Yuri popped his jump and her eyes widened when she saw even Yakov facepalm.
Think of everything he's done for you…
"He's come on such a long way since he left Detroit."
"It's because of Vitya…yes! Beautiful! Embrace your programme Yuri!"
"You do realise you're talking out loud?"
She flushed at Phichit
"Oh, shut up, Peachy. I don't care anymore."
Ack! His flow wavered, but he was still almost perfect. Well done, Yuri. Vitya would be so proud of you.
"Well you better get to the kiss-and-cry," he winked at her, "Coach Osha."
She laughed as she walked off. "I guess I better start getting used to being called that!"
Seeing Yuri step off the ice, Osha ran and hugged him tightly – passing him his blade guards and walking with him to the kiss-and-cry, where they met with Yakov.
"Hey, Vitya designed that programme for you, yet you failed to take advantage of it. You both would've been better prepared if you practiced for the possibility-"
"Really Yakov? A lecture at the kiss-and-cry?"
"I can see where Victor gets it from."
The pair shared a laugh as Yuri's score flashed on the screen. He was in third, but they didn't know if he'd advance until after JJ's performance. Yuri, tears in his eyes, turned and hugged Yakov tightly. Osha was a tad hurt that he'd hugged him first instead of her, but totally let it side when she saw her fromer-coach's face.
"Spasibo."
Yuri then hugged her.
"Thank you, Osha."
"Anytime, Yuri."
She held onto his hand as they watched JJ skate.
Mum and Dad. My precious girlfriend. Osha, my best friend. The great people of Canada and everybody out there who loves skating – this is for you, but it's not enough, I have more love to give.
Her Canadian friend breezed into first place, Yurio taking second and Michele third. However, though his and Yuri's points were tied, from the overall competitions, Yuri would advance because he took second at the Cup of China. Osha congratulated him, before running off to find Phichit. Yuri's qualification, being the lowest of the final six, meant that the Thai skater had also qualified.
"Congratulations, Peachy!" She said, jumping and hugging him – when she eventually found him.
Phichit laughed and buried his face in her neck, spinning her round, before gently putting her down.
"Thanks! I'm relieved that it's over and I can finally relax!"
"You mean train."
"Oh, of course…totally meant that." He said this with a nervous laugh, scratching the back of his neck. They both turned when they heard Mickey yelling. "…umm what's Yuri doing?"
The Japanese man was going around, attempting to hug every person in sight. Some froze up – like JJ and Seung-Gil, other's embraced him back – like Phichit and Emil – and others ran….no names being mentioned there, Yurio. Eventually, he zombie-walked away.
Bless him, he needs a Vitya hug.
"Hey Toots, what's up with him?"
"He needs a Vitya."
"Huh?"
She chuckled and shook her head, following after him.
Later on, the pair of them – with Phichit in tow seeing as Osha now had to fly out to Bangkok – were stood in the airport. Yuri had a bag of half-eaten, pork cutlet bowl pirozki's in his hand and looked nervously down at Victor's tiny, younger sibling. Osha gave him a gentle smile. Victor had text her. Makkachin was fine, and he was going to meet Yuri at the airport in Japan…Yuri would get his hug in full.
"Take care of him for me," she said, hugging Yuri tightly and feeling a little teary, "and give Makkachin lots of hugs and kisses from me."
"I will."
She stepped back, before growling and hugging him again.
"Oh, this is stupid, I'll be seeing you in a few weeks."
The announcements called Yuri's flight and Osha, yet again, received another hug, before she allowed Yuri to hug Phichit.
"Haha, look after this one, Phichit."
"You got it, Yuri."
"Bye you guys."
And with that, he was gone, and Osha was left with only one thing to do. It was something she both loved and loathed…
She had to pack.
…
Russian Dictionary
Vitya – Victor
Oshi/Oshka/Toots (JJ only) – Osha
Peachy (Osha only) – Phichit
Yurio/Yura/Yurashka – Yuri
Pirozki – Fried Russian Bun-Pie
Udachi – Good Luck
Da – Yes
Net – No
Spasibo – Thank You
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