CHAPTER SIX HUNDRED THIRTY
Despite Mikhail's newly-imposed 'herd' mandate, Viktor was still determined to get the hot cocoa he'd promised his husband earlier on. Thankfully, it wasn't something he had to go far for, and he shuffle-walked his partner over towards one of the big beverage tables that had been set up for the athletes. One of the big dispensers - the only of the three that was see-through - was plain water with a bin of sliced lemons and limes on the side. The other two were big aluminum canisters, one with black coffee and the other with hot chocolate. There was a machine at the end of the table that offered a continuous supply of hot water, plain cold water without ice, and a separate crushed ice chute.
"The Broadmoor sure doesn't hold back," Viktor commented, and reached for one of the Starbucks-like paper cups. He carefully poured his beloved's drink, then grabbed one of his own, and added a dash of the black coffee to it for extra kick. They shared a pseudo-toast and each took a sip, then started heading back to where they'd been earlier.
"I wonder what happened with Nikki," Yuri commented quietly, the mouthpiece to his cup pressed to his lip. He looked to his spouse though before taking a sip, "Did you see it?"
"No, just the aftermath." Viktor answered, and licked his lips, "Mmh, vkusno~ Adding a hint of coffee makes it taste like Nutella."
"Did they tell you what happened?"
Viktor hesitated a moment, but then shook his head, "Vaguely. I know Otabek stepped in."
"Oh, is that how he got on Mik's good side in such a hurry?"
"Yeah, actually." The silver confirmed, and held his drink up, "Commendations to him for that. If Nikki didn't have a huge crush on him already, now he's her hero and savior, too."
"And we still don't know what Otabek thinks of her... If she's just a young friend or something else, I mean."
"My T-Rex costume doesn't hinge on him so I'm not super invested," Viktor mused, and eyeballed Yurio from afar, "That one, though."
Yuri looked over; the group, aside from themselves, had congregated together at a big round table. Mikhail was on his phone with someone, possibly the PA he'd mentioned earlier. Minako, Nikki, and Yurio - in that order - sat at the table itself and watched the Free Skate on one of the nearby wall-mounted flat-panels. There was one person missing though, and Yuri scanned the area for the wayward absentee.
"I don't understand why this feels so different from other freaky-fan events I've gone through before," Viktor said, catching his partner's attention suddenly, "I mean, this is hardly the first time someone's gotten over-zealous. Normally the event security does just fine in keeping things calm. I feel like Papa Mimi's taking this a bit too seriously."
"Well, they went after his kid, so...it is different."
"And I saw the security guys shove the jerks out. Done and done, no one got hurt. Well, except them, but I'm fine with that." Viktor pointed out, and found his seat by his gear again like before.
Yuri sat next to him and handed over his drink for a moment before he rifled through his own bags, and offered a few treats to Jiro where the pup sat dutifully beside his legs. That done, Yuri sat back as well, and retook his hot cocoa, "The brighter you shine, the darker your shadow." He said, and took a long sip, "She said she wasn't hurt, but I haven't heard her say anything since Yurio asked me to come down here. I hope she isn't traumatized..."
"She's probably just shocked by it all."
"Yeah..."
"Anyway though, it's done and over with... We'll just let Papa Mimi have his fun, hiring all these guys to wander around and watch the snow fall."
"Viktor... Have some pity."
"Oh, I have plenty...I feel quite bad for Nikki. But I'm determined the stay positive, and I'm not gonna let some freaks from the audience get me down right before I skate." He retorted, "Wasn't it someone important here in the USA that once said, if we let them stop us from being ourselves and living our lives, then we've let them win?"
"...Oh, yeah... I guess you're right." Yuri agreed tepidly, and reached forward to rub Jiro's head as the pup came up to perch against his knees, "But why would they bother her?"
"It was two dumb-looking guys," Viktor answered, and pressed his drink to his lips again, "The kind that would pick on a little girl for fun; the kind that Papa Mimi has been stressing about since finding out Nikki and Otabek were messaging each other. Some people just can't behave themselves."
"And Otabek stepped in to fix things... I'm glad he was able to prove himself. I feel bad that he had to go to these lengths though."
"I'm sure Nikki will feel much better once she's been able to message with him again, too." Viktor added, and leaned in a little bit closer as he spoke. He teased a nibble to his beloved's earlobe, where it just-barely peeked out from under the edge of that dark-colored beanie, "You know, we still have a little bit of time. Help me get in the mood."
"Ah, are you going to skate 'Eros' instead of your regular program?" Yuri mused
"Every program I skate for you is full of my 'Eros.'"
Minako looked back over her shoulder just in time to get an eyeful of the duo starting to kiss, and she quickly looked forward again with pink cheeks. Mikhail finally got off the phone around the same time, and stepped close to kiss Nikki's head just before he took a seat. The ballerina took his closest arm, "All done?"
The elder nodded, and pat her hand, "Viktoria says nothing weird has happened at the house, and she's got Makkachin and Ghost with her anyway."
"That's good. Maybe this really was just some dumb punks being jerks."
"They embody everything I worried Otabek would be like," Mikhail added, but then looked across towards his daughter, and extended his arm to clasp over her balled-up hands, "Can you tell if he's unblocked you yet?"
The teen looked up, but shook her head, "I...haven't looked."
"She's still shaken up, hun. Let her decompress for a little while." Minako suggested, and rubbed the girl's back, "Things will be alright."
"...I'm...worried about Viktor." Nikki said quietly, and turned her eyes down to the table-top, "Those guys...picked on me, because they know we're related. Papa even said..." She sighed and lowered her face to the back of her father's hand where it was still perched over her own, "He even said that I just told the whole world I was here, and who I was with... Why didn't I think about that before I heard them talking?"
"It's unfortunate, but sometimes there can be a sense of 'it won't happen to me' that people feel, right up until the moment it happens." Mikhail answered, "It's okay though. You stayed close to folks you know, and they were able to step in to help you."
"...I wish...I was strong enough to not need help all the time..."
Yurio couldn't help but feel that statement right in his guts, and he slouched down to lay his chin on his crossed arms, "Needing help isn't the worst thing in the world." He commented, though he kept his eyes on the television display, and the footage of the kiss-and-cry it had on at the time, "It's worse to need it and repeatedly refuse it, until you get to the point that the help you need is beyond the ability of most people around you. Be glad that you have the support system to never have to get to that point."
Mikhail couldn't help but crack a tiny smile at that, even if it was just for a moment, but he turned his attention back towards his nephew and in-law. The sight of them fooling around, mild as it was, made the man shake his head slightly. I can't tell if he's being shrewd or stupid. Maybe he's acting aloof because he really doesn't want Yuri to worry. I can't help but wonder if he really doesn't understand though. He turned back to his kids, "Hey Yuri, what all did Viktor see?"
"...Uhh..." Yurio blanched, thinking back, "He actually kind of showed up afterwards, maybe a few seconds before you got there. One of the dipshits called him a traitor and spat at him from across the barrier. He said it in Russian."
"Hmph... A taste of things to come." The elder grumbled, "So Viktor didn't see what Otabek did or what the delinquents did to Nikki?"
Yurio shook his head, "Nikki was already barnacled to Otabek's jacket by the time Viktor turned up. I sent that last text message to you before he got there. Why?"
"I don't think he's taking this seriously."
Minako puffed, "He's about to compete, hun. Let him take it seriously afterwards. This is his livelihood; he has to do well."
"I know, I know, that's why I'm not twisting his arm about it." He answered, "I'll be sure to talk to him later.
.
"Next on the ice, representing Japan...Viktor Nikiforov!"
The audience went wild, cheering louder than ever, as though preemptively drowning out any boos that might bubble-up again. Viktor slid out gladly, and showed-off a few flashy spins before he returned to the rink-wall. He took his beloved's hands and kissed each one before he leaned in for a tight hug, "It'll be weird to hear the Japanese anthem playing for me later on," He teased, "But it'll be a nice change of pace."
"Be sure you win Gold if you're going to say stuff like that," Yuri pointed out.
"You think I might not?"
"Oh I expect you will, but it's never a foregone conclusion until you do your show and get your score." He explained, and offered his parting kiss, "Go make us all proud. Ganba."
"Eagerly." The silver agreed, and gave those hands a last squeeze before he finally took off. The audience cheered excitedly as the Russian-representing-Japan swirled around the ice, and made his way gradually to center. It took a moment longer before the crowd settled down again, but the music soon started, and Viktor's performance began.
['Stand in the Light' - Jordan Smith]
Stand in the light and be seen as we are...
[pic]
Yuri stepped back from the wall to lean against the one behind him, and let the warm, fuzzy feeling of the music take him over. Jiro sat by his side as well, looking quite official with his little vest, even if the whole thing was just a formality so Yuri himself would feel better. Having the pup by his side did help ease his nerves though, and he looked around the audience, spying the excited and engaged looks on peoples' faces as they, in turn, watched his literally legendary husband put on that hotly-anticipated Free Program. He eventually found a particularly unexpected face though, and he blinked to be sure he wasn't seeing things, "...Is this where he ran to?" He wondered to himself, "I guess it would be the safest place to go to avoid people."
Near one of the other - albeit unused - rink entrances, Otabek leaned against the wall much like Yuri had been. He kept one of the post-skate soft-toys under an arm, and just kept his eyes on the ice. To Yuri's assessment, the sport was the only thing that stayed consistent all weekend; there was a comfort in knowing it wouldn't change, even if the man dancing on it at the time had been a catalyst for some of the biggest change otherwise. Yuri slowly made his way over, keeping his eye mostly on Viktor as he went, but then leaned against the wall close by the Kazakh's side.
The crowd applauded one of Viktor's many flawless jumps, and Yuri clapped along with them. His sickness betrayed him and he had to clear his throat, which of course made Otabek wonder if it was an attempt to get his attention.
"You're probably the only person who hasn't made my stomach turn into a knot for one reason or another," He said simply, "I hope you're not here to change that."
"I just saw that you were standing by yourself." Yuri answered, "I wanted to ask how you're doing. I heard about what happened."
"I'm fine."
"That's good." He nodded, and watched his partner's show for a little while in quiet. Once the halfway marker had passed though, Yuri couldn't help but speak again, "I'm sorry for how all this has been turning out for you. Competitions have always been so business-as-usual for you...now you're caught up in the stuff we've been dealing with all year."
"I'm not immune to it." Otabek pointed out with a shrug, "It just normally doesn't touch on these issues."
"No one's said you've done anything wrong. They just-"
"Thought I might later." He finished, "I know what people were thinking."
"You can't choose how old people are." Yuri pointed out, "But it shouldn't have been so surprising to people that Nikki and you would talk to each other, by virtue of both being friends of Yurio's. From my perspective, I'm kind of glad you're in there with them... Nikki's pretty mature for her age, but she's still a teenager. Between her and Yurio, there's no telling what kind of trouble they could get into. Having you around is like having a sober friend though, convincing them to keep on the straight and narrow." He explained, and peeled his eyes off his partner for a moment to look at Otabek instead, "Viktor and I both think you've been a good influence on Yurio, and we have no reason to think you'd be any different to Nikki."
"As long as she's under-age, it won't matter. People will always wonder and suspect."
Yuri's brows furrowed, "I'm...sorry. You're really taking that seriously."
"I wish I'd thought about it sooner." The Kazakh said, and shook his head slightly, "Before I let her onto my Intsa. Since it was just online, I didn't think anything of it. Getting here though...it's definitely different than it was at the Final when we first met."
Yuri couldn't help but give an uneasy smile as he looked back out to Viktor though, "Yeah...she's definitely latched onto you. If not for her age though, would that really be so bad?"
Otabek just shot him a look.
"Or are you worried what it would do to your friendship with Yurio?"
"We're a little past that part, aren't we?"
"...I guess so. He's been surprisingly supportive and understanding though." Yuri pointed out, "I think he'll be relieved once things go back to the way they were. ...Have you...unblocked her at this point?"
"I haven't been on my phone."
"Ah...I see. She'll be happy to talk to you again later though. She's pretty shaken up."
Otabek reached up his free hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, "...I feel like what happened is partly my fault. If I hadn't blocked her in the first place, she wouldn't have been standing to the side waiting for us. She would've been with us, and those bone-heads wouldn't have come so close to her."
"You couldn't have known this would happen. You did what you thought was the right thing at the time." Yuri offered, "Just like I thought practicing despite my jetlag in Detroit was a brilliant move. In both cases...hers and mine...you were there to help pick up the pieces after things went wrong. I don't even know if anyone ever thanked you for that...but, thank you, Otabek."
"You guys a trouble-finders, I swear."
"All the more reason we're grateful to have you around." Yuri teased, "We need a guardian angel like you."
"...So what do I do now?" Otabek wondered idly, eyes back on Viktor as his Free Skate started to wind down, "I can unblock her, but things won't ever go back to how they were."
"Take responsibility for the fact that you're her hero now, as well as the brooding, mysterious, dark-haired heartthrob she already thought you were?" Yuri mused, "Unless all that is something you don't want."
Otabek was characteristically quiet, but Yuri looked over at him anyway.
"Viktor said he couldn't get a straight answer out of you before," He said, and waited a moment, "Help me understand what you're thinking."
"Whatever I say will be an issue." The Kazakh pointed out, and shook his head, "She'll be hurt either way, and I don't want to do that. I want to be her friend. She's easy to get along with and fun to talk to...someone outside skating."
"Why would it hurt either way...?"
"If I say yes, I'll be walking on eggshells for years to make sure I don't do anything wrong. If I say no, it'll break her heart, and she may never talk to me again. The other Yuri would be impacted by that, too, since they live together."
"...Oh." Yuri deadpanned at himself, "...That's...how I spent all the years I was in Seniors when it came to Viktor. I was always so worried he'd think I was stupid if I talked to him...so I ran away instead. All those years, lost, because I was afraid of what would happen if I was just honest with myself."
Otabek was the one deadpanning him then, "...What are you suggesting, exactly?"
"Tell me how you feel, even if you can't tell anyone else. That way, it's off your chest, and you can get on with your life knowing no one's expecting anything from you." He explained, and turned to press his shoulder to the wall just as Viktor finished his performance, "You don't have to hurt Nikki's feelings either...but sometimes it's cathartic to tell someone else what's going on in your head."
"Things come out eventually."
"I won't tell a soul." Yuri swore, only to get a side-eyed look of doubt, "Not even Viktor. I won't even suggest that I got you to say something on the issue, never mind that you said your peace on it."
"Viktor knows we're talking now. He'll prod you to find out what about."
"I'm just asking how you're doing after beating up two guys for picking on a girl."
Otabek grunted a breath and turned his head to look away.
"If you'd rather not say, that's fine too. You can always DM me on Insta later if you want." Yuri shrugged and pushed off the wall, and got ready to head over to the rink exit, "I just figured it would be easier to say something, because at least then there's nothing written down. If being with Viktor has taught me anything...it's that telling someone what's going on with me is a good thing, even if it's about stuff that makes me sad or upset."
"I don't know..."
"That's okay. I'll see you again in a little while then for the medaling ceremony." He nodded, and started to move off with his security pup.
Otabek looked into the rink; Viktor was still busy bowing to the crowd, and toys and flowers were showering down onto the ice. Tick, tock, tick, tock...
...
...
...
"...Yuri, wait."
