Pain. So much pain. Viktor regretted waking instantly. Everything hurt, but particularly his head and face. Right. He'd been punched. Hard. Groaning, Viktor tried to move. The sound of cold metal clanking filled his ears. Chains. He was chained. Opening his eyes, he tried to make out his surroundings but it was dark.
"V-Viktor?"
Yuri. Yuri! Despite the pain, Viktor forced himself fully awake. With a few blinks his eyes began to adjust and he could make out Yuri's body curled up in a corner. Viktor managed to crawl his way over to the younger alpha, the chains thankfully reaching that far. "Yura? Are you alright?"
"What kind of stupid question is that?" Yuri asked, trying to be his usual angry self, but his words were laced with fear. "No I'm not alright! We've been kidnapped by the Bratva!"
Viktor bit his lower lip trying to keep himself from lashing out in his own fear. "Are you physically injured?"
"N-no," Yuri answered. "Not really. Some bruises, maybe. After they knocked you out they just put a bag over my head and manhandled me like I was a damn paperweight. You're bleeding."
Raising a shackled hand, Viktor touched his face. So he was. It felt mostly dry, so hopefully that meant he wasn't actively bleeding anymore. "Did they say anything? Anything that might tell us where we are?"
Yuri shook his head and he let out a sniffle. He'd been crying. Understandable, really, even for someone as tough as Yuri. "Viktor. You said they wanted you. Why do they want you? Is it money?"
Sighing, Viktor contemplated what to tell the young blonde. Lying at this point would do neither of them any good. Yuri needed to know the truth so that he was prepared for whatever it was they faced in here. Swallowing hard, Viktor shifted with a wince so that he was sitting next to Yuri and leaning against the same wall. "You know how Yakov has been so against me being with Yuuri?"
"Yeah," Yuri answered with a shrug. "I thought that was just because he thought dating someone was a distraction."
"Well, yes, but that wasn't all of it. Yuuri…," Viktor sucked in a deep breath. "Yuuri is Yakuza. And not just any Yakuza, he's in charge of his clan."
"Bullshit," Yuri immediately spat, that fire momentarily returned. "There's no damn way you're telling me Katsuki, Yuuri fucking Katsuki , is mafia!?"
Viktor let out an annoyed grunt and had to force down the anger. Being captured was putting him a little more on edge than normal. As it would anyone. "Why would I choose now, of all times, to lie to you about something like that?"
"But - Yuuri - Yuuri! The same Yuuri that would stumble over his words during interviews? The same Yuuri that couldn't look anyone in the eye? The same Yuuri that…that moved so delicately and beautifully across the ice…I don't…" Yuri's voice trailed off in disbelief.
Viktor could understand the disbelief. He, too, had been shocked at first. Shocked, and incredibly turned on. "That Yuuri is still there in a way," he promised before sucking in a breath, "but…he can become someone else. Someone who is very capable of being a Yakuza. I've seen it with my own eyes."
Yuri's head snapped towards Viktor, even though they could only see the outlines of each other. "You've…you've seen him kill someone?"
No, but he'd seen him command those around him to murder without hesitation. Yuuri had confessed to killing people, and Viktor definitely believed Omega was quite capable. "Let's just say he is very good at what he does, and the people under him would follow him to death no matter what he asked of them."
"And you just…you knew ? And you were fine dating him?" Yuri questioned in further disbelief.
The older alpha let out a small chuckle. "You know me, Yura. I love doing dangerous things and a good challenge. Yuuri is both of those."
"You're fucking psycho, Viktor, but I guess we always knew that," Yuri's voice lost the bravado and returned to fear. "What are they going to do to us? What do we think we know?"
"I don't think they think we know anything," Viktor answered. "I think I'm just bait, and you are leverage to make me cooperate." If they did think he knew anything that could be of value, they would be incredibly out of luck and Viktor would be in even more trouble than he already very clearly was. Viktor didn't know anything. Yuuri had always purposely kept him in the dark, and Omega didn't find him worthy of knowing anything. "I know the Bratva don't particularly like Yuuri."
Yuri snorted and let out a low laugh. "So not only are you dating a mafia lord, you're dating a mafia lord who the local mafia in which you live hates. You're really something fucking else, you know that?"
"I never claimed to be smart, just pretty," Viktor told him, trying to lighten the mood, though his heart was still pounding with terror. "I won't let them hurt you, Yura. I'll take all the hits."
Viktor could see Yuri curl up on himself, and the chains jangled with his movements. "Katsuki…he's going to come for us, right? He won't just leave us here to die, right?"
Pressing his lips together, Viktor clenched his jaw. Omega would leave them to rot. He would leave them to be tortured until death. Yuuri would certainly come for them, but would he even be in a state to do so? From what Seung Gil had told him, Yuuri tended to yield to Omega in these situations, the anxiety of his old self making him falter. If he did that…there would be no chance. "I don't know, Yura. I love Yuuri, and he loves me, but he has his entire clan's safety to think about."
Yuri pulled his knees up even further and Viktor could see him bury his face between his legs. There was a small hiccup, and then Yuri started full on crying. It shocked Viktor so much he didn't know how to immediately react to it. "W-we're going to die!"
The blonde was a little shit, but he didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve any of this. Viktor placed a hand against Yuri's back. "I'm so sorry, Yura. I never meant for anyone else to get involved in this. I was going to finish the season and then leave so that none of this could find its way to you. I promise you, Yura, I promise, that I will do everything I can to keep them from hurting you."
"You can't promise shit!" Yuri spat between hiccups.
No, he supposed he couldn't, but he would still try his damned hardest. With another heavy sigh, Viktor remained silent and allowed Yuri to cry. It was ok to cry. It was ok to be scared. Viktor wanted to cry, too, but he had to be strong for Yuri.
After a while, the hiccups finally subsided and Yuri sniffled as he wiped at his eyes and nose. "H-how did Yakov know?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure why he first suspected," Viktor answered honestly. "Maybe it's because Yuuri is quite young for such a successful businessman where there'd been no money before. Also could be the fact that any history of him other than figure skating is wiped from the internet. But, he hired a PI to look into Yuuri. Yuuri -," Omega, but for purposes of the current conversation, Yuuri, "didn't take too kindly to that. I tried to tell Yakov to back off, but he didn't listen to me."
"W-what happened?" Yuri asked with another sniffle.
"Yuuri had the PI killed and threatened Yakov," Viktor told him. "It's why I chose to sever ties with Yakov. He's still my coach officially, but unofficially, I'm on my own. It was better that way, to keep him safe."
Yuri started to laugh before choking on his own air. "I-I'm going to die. If the Bratva doesn't kill me, then Yuuri will kill me because I now know his secret."
"Yuuri won't kill you," Viktor assured him. Yuuri absolutely wouldn't, so it wasn't a lie. Omega…Omega had already threatened Yuri in his own way by pretending to be Yuuri to the young alpha. Viktor didn't know what he'd do.
The door opened and there was a flood of light. Viktor had to close his eyes and shield his face, the sudden light painful after being in the dark for so long. Rough hands grabbed him and hauled him to his feet. The weight of the chain released from his wrists and then he was being pushed, a tight hand guiding him by the neck. Slowly blinking his eyes open he looked back for Yuri. The blonde's green eyes were full of terror, but his mouth was shut and he was complying without a sound.
They were brought into a new room, this one with lights and a single chair. Vitkor was roughly shoved onto the chair and then his arms shackled behind his back. The men in suits who were handling Yuri violently shoved him to his knees. Yuri whimpered, but didn't fight it. The angry kitten had been tamed instantly inside a cage. Secretly, Viktor was glad. Yuri's usual spit fire self versus the Bratva would be a horrible combination that only brought bad news.
A new body entered the room, and Viktor recognized him immediately. Emil Nekola. With a large grin, the man pulled up another chair and sat in it backwards across from Viktor. "Viktor Nikiforov! So nice to see you again. I apologize for the circumstances, but I saw an opportunity and took it."
"So you were working for the Bratva afterall," Viktor huffed. "Yuuri knew you had to be working for someone."
Emil wagged a finger, "Yes and no! When I met you both in Barcelona, I wasn't working for anyone, but I smelled something of interest, it's true! At the summit in Italy, I smelled how Katsuki stunk of an alpha. After everything I'd heard and known about the omega, I found it very odd. How could someone who detested alphas so much actually bind himself to one? So, I followed him to you. Then, it made sense. Katsuki finding himself an ice prince alpha, one that would submit to his every whim. A way for him to make a point while having his needs satisfied."
This man who thought he knew everything knew nothing at all. It gave Viktor some hope he wouldn't get what he wanted.
"It was then that I realized I could get my big break," Emil continued. "I asked myself, who hates Katsuki the most? The answer was easy, of course. How convenient that it be the mafia of your own country! It really made it all too easy. Now, thanks to you, I'm going to finally have myself inside a clan!"
Viktor couldn't help but snort. "That is dependent on you getting Yuuri, and I hate to tell you, but he won't come."
"Oh, I doubt that," Emil smirked as he leaned forward. "You're mated. The second I start hurting you, he'll feel it through your bond and he'll have to come running."
Emil thought they were bonded. Viktor didn't correct him. As long as the idiot believed it, it kept Viktor and Yuri alive. Though…at what cost? "You have me. You don't need Yuri. Let him go."
Standing up, Emil sauntered over to Yuri and grabbed him by the chin. The young alpha flinched and tried to jerk away, but Emil tightened his grip. "He wasn't originally a part of the plan, but the Bratva could use a new Runner. An alpha in the public eye the way little Plisetsky is could get us so many omegas to sell."
The realization of what Emil was saying made Viktor sick to his stomach. "He's only 15!"
"The perfect age to groom," Emil let go of Yuri's chin to ruffle his hair.
"Fuck you!" Viktor growled angrily. Over his dead body would he allow the Bratva to use Yuri as bait for human trafficking!
Laughing, Emil skipped back over to Viktor before connecting his gloved fist with the side of Viktor's face. Viktor immediately tasted copper as the pain vibrated throughout his body. "How mangled do you think I can make you before your precious Katsuki shows?"
Spitting out a wad of blood, Viktor blinked back the pain. "You might as well just start dismembering me. He won't come."
"That's a fantastic idea!" Emil pulled out a switchblade and placed the cold steel against Viktor's neck, digging just enough into his skin to draw blood.
"Leave him alone!" Yuri shouted.
Viktor's blood went cold as Emil turned his attention back to the other alpha. "Keep that tongue inside your mouth unless you want to lose it."
"Hit me, you coward!" Yuri hissed angrily, his lost bravado suddenly found again.
Emil complied, and struck him across the face. "Quiet, kitten."
Yuri was shaking, but there was an angry fire in his green eyes now. Blood dribbled from the corners of his mouth. His nostrils flared and after a few long seconds he was lifting his chin and spitting blood at Emil's face. One of the Bratva at Yuri's side landed a hard kick to the blonde's stomach and he was immediately curling over himself in extreme pain.
Dammit, Yura.
Wiping away the bloody spit from his face angrily, Emil glowered at Viktor. "Beat him until he looks good enough for a photo."
By the time it processed in Viktor's head what he was saying, he was surrounded by Bratva who were cracking knuckles with horrific smirks. It took two hits and his chair went flying backwards. His head hit the concrete hard and his vision went white as ringing filled his ears. Kicked. Punched. Beaten. Barely, he could make out Yuri screaming his name. Viktor didn't know how long it went on until he passed out from the pain.
"-tor."
"-iktor."
"Viktor!"
With a violent jerk, Viktor's body woke up. Everything hurt so horribly. Groaning, he tried to find a comfortable position but couldn't find one. Even breathing hurt something fierce. A couple of ribs had to be broken with how badly it hurt to inhale. He'd broken ribs before and knew what it felt like. He'd be lucky if those were the only things broken.
"Viktor! Easy!" Yuri helped Viktor sit up and brought a cup of water to his lips.
Viktor tried to swallow it down but found himself quickly choking on the liquid. Yuri helped him cough it back up and settle him against the wall. "Y-Yura…are you ok?"
"Way better than you," Yuri answered. "They didn't do anything more to me."
Good…that was good. "What…what happened after?"
"They took photos. To send to Yuuri, I think," Yuri told him. "You look…you look like shit."
Viktor tried to laugh but it hurt too much. "I feel like it. Is there more water?"
"Yeah, here," Yuri handed him a cup and Viktor gulped it all down. "Are you…are you and Yuuri really mated?"
Letting out a small cough, Viktor shook his head. "No. It was a false bond. Good enough to fool him, though, apparently."
"Viktor…what did that guy mean? About me getting him omegas to sell?"
Closing his eyes, Viktor tried to ignore the pain coursing through every inch of his body. "It's…it's why the Bratva hate Yuuri so much. They kidnap omegas and sell them in the black market. Yuuri…," he let out another few coughs, "Yuuri disrupted their supply chain. He rescued a lot of omegas, including one that is now the leader of a Triad clan in China. Yuuri…his entire clan is omegas. Omegas that he's saved."
Yuri was quiet for a while, making small movements that jostled the chains. "So…he's a good guy?"
"Good and bad are relative," Viktor shrugged, having found the lines more and more blurred since meeting Yuuri. "Sometimes we do bad things for the right reasons, but sometimes we do good things for the wrong reasons. If you're asking if I think Yuuri is a good person, though…at his core, yes. Yes, I believe that. He's a good person who has been through horrible things and has had to make the best of the situation."
"He's a good person who murders people."
"I mean, if the people he murders are bad people," Viktor threw out for consideration. "It's not all black and white, is it?"
"I guess not," Yuri agreed softly.
It was probably the biggest thing he'd learned since meeting Yuuri. Life was gray. Like the world in winter. The world he had grown up knowing was a simplified view. A naive one. An ignorant one. "Yuri…don't be brave. Now is not the time for that."
"I can't…I can't just sit back and watch you get hurt like that," Yuri said. "I hate your guts, but the only one that's allowed to kick you around like a ragdoll is me."
Viktor couldn't hold back the laugh and smile, which he immediately regretted. He could feel a dribble of blood trickle down his chin. "This isn't the ice, Yura. I can handle it."
"...good because getting punched fucking sucks."
He smiled much softer this time to not feel the pain. His head started to spin and the ringing returned. "Yura…I'm…I'm going to pass out."
"Vikt-"
Everything was cold. Ice cold. Viktor couldn't breathe. Gasping desperately for air his blue eyes opened. The respite was brief and then his face was being dunked beneath the surface of the water once more. Drowning. Viktor was drowning. Water was filling his lungs and he wasn't pulled back to the surface until he was seconds from passing out. His lungs frantically reached for air that was so short lived before he was dunked down once more.
"...you see, Katsuki? How your precious mate suffers?"
Pulled from the depths once more, Viktor's lungs convulsed in their desperate plea for air. He was given a moment of respite, pushed to his knees in front of the tank he was being dunked in. Emil placed the phone next to Viktor.
"You can have all the fun you'd like with him," a voice came through the receiver. Viktor knew that voice well enough. It wasn't Yuuri at all. "Alphas are plentiful. I can find another one."
"Are you sure, Katsuki? Are you sure you could live without your precious mate? Could you tell him that, even now? When he suffers so because of you?" Emil asked.
Viktor found his breath just long enough. "Don't come. Omega, don't come -" he was dunked beneath the freezing water once more, this time accidently swallowing a good chunk of water throwing him into a coughing fit. When they pulled him from the depths he started vomiting water.
"Enjoy your time with him, Nekola. Make it last. I'm not coming, and the Bratva will kill you slowly because you've failed to bring me in," Omega told him.
Emil let out an angry scream as he threw his phone against the wall, shattering it. Forcefully grabbing Viktor's hair he yanked his head up. "Why won't your omega come for you?!"
"I told you he wouldn't come," Viktor panted. "I'm expendable, just as omegas are to you."
Viktor was dunked beneath the water once again and he passed out.
When Viktor woke again, he couldn't even move. Breathing felt entirely impossible and his muscles wouldn't respond. His cheek was pressed against the cool concrete of the floor, and he was perfectly fine staying right where he was.
"Viktor?"
Viktor simply groaned, acknowledging he was alive. It was the best he could do.
"V-Viktor…"? The cry became more desperate. Was…was Yuri crying? "Viktor..please. Please don't die. You can't leave me alone."
"I'm…" Viktor tried to comfort Yuri, but his body had other ideas. It slipped away back into the darkness.
The next time Viktor woke, it was to an incredibly painful ache in his shoulders. Slowly, he opened his eyes. He wasn't in the cell with Yuri. There was a light coming in through the window on the door. Viktor was hanging from the ceiling, from his arms. His feet barely grazed the floor. It wasn't enough to be able to give his limbs relief.
The door flung open and Emil stomped in angrily. He reached for Viktor's throat and squeezed. "Where is he? Where is Katsuki? Where is his home base?"
Viktor knew where Yuuri's home was. He knew the answer, but like hell he would tell Emil. "I hope the Bratva make your death very painful."
"Bring him!" Emil shouted, and Yuri was dragged through the door by his hair and thrown to the ground. "Tell me where he is, Viktor, or I kill Plisetsky!"
Finding the strength to lift his head, Viktor glared at Emil and called his bluff. "Go to hell."
Viktor was hit unconscious once more.
Days. Weeks. Viktor had no idea how long he'd been captive. He'd gone in and out of consciousness so many times. Water had been forced down him a few times, but he never remembered food. How long could a body go without food? Probably a while. Frankly, Viktor just wanted to die. He could barely breathe. He felt incredibly weak. The only thing keeping him alive was Yuri. He had to hold out for Yuri…but for what? Neither Yuuri or Omega were coming. All Viktor was doing was delaying the inevitable. His death, and Yuri's slavery.
When Viktor finally managed to regain some sort of consciousness again, he was sitting in a chair once more chained to it. Yuri was chained to the wall, mouth gagged. Otherwise, they were alone. Letting his head fall back he let out a sigh. At least he had a second alone. Maybe this was where he could die in peace. Yuuri and his clan were safe. Mostly. Had…had Seung Gil survived? Viktor hoped so. Yuuri would need him. Maybe…maybe even Omega would find the support he needed. He knew Seung Gil loved him. Maybe Omega could love him in return. Together, they could keep Yuuri safe.
Time passed. Viktor didn't know how much. When the door flew open, Viktor didn't give it much thought until he breathed in a familiar scent. His blurry vision suddenly cleared as his eyes went wide. Yuuri. Yuuri was here.
Yuuri was dragging Emil into the room by his hair, the alpha screaming and kicking. Red eyes. No. Not Yuuri. This was Omega. Omega…he'd come. He'd come for Viktor. Omega threw Emil to the ground and then shoved a foot against his chest pinning him down. Kenjirou sauntered into the room covered in blood. He was wiping a strip of red from his face and licking it with a smirk. Seung Gil was on Omega's left. He was heavily bandaged, but he was alive, and he had a gun in hand. Viktor was happy to see him breathing.
"You really thought that a low life such as you could ever defeat me?" Omega asked as he moved his foot to Emil's throat and applied pressure. Emil scrambled to remove Omega's boot but didn't even get it to budge. "You're nothing more than an annoying rat sniffing around for purpose in the gutters. Not an entirely bad idea to side with the Bratva, but did you ever stop to think that I might be keeping tabs on them knowing my sweet Vitya was in their backyard? Ambition can be such a killer." Omega gave Emil's face a kick and stood back. Looking over towards Yuri, his eyes narrowed, and then he approached the young alpha completely bypassing Viktor.
Kneeling down, Omega removed Yuri's gag and his shackles. "I'm sorry, Yuri. You should have never been a part of this. I promise to sponsor you. You'll never want for money or gear again. But, while you're here, what do you think? Quick death? Slow death? Should we hang him and make him bleed out? Dismember him limb by limb? Disembowel him and put him on display for the world to see? Personally, I'm a fan of the latter. What are your thoughts?"
Yuri was looking at Omega with wide and horrified eyes. The silence that followed was long and heavy, Yuri trying to desperately figure out the situation as his eyes darted between Viktor, Emil, and Omega. "I-I…"
"Oh, come now, it's just us!" Omega encouraged. "No one else here to see or hear. Surely you're angry at him for kidnapping you. For hurting you." Reaching up, Omega gently thumbed at the gash across Yuri's temple. "What day is it, even?" He twisted his wrist and pushed back his suit sleeve. "Has Nationals already passed? I can't quite recall. Oh, but if you missed that, then they won't select you for the Olympics now will they? Even if it's just in a few days, you look too injured to skate. This man has potentially ruined your entire career! Don't you want revenge?"
Viktor knew Omega was toying with Yuri, trying to get a reaction out of him. But…Omega was probably right. Yuri was hurt. Not like Viktor, but what wasn't done physically certainly would leave a mark mentally. Even if Nationals hadn't happened yet, could Yuri actually compete? It made Viktor sick to even think about what Yuri's answer might be. "Yuri, don't answer-,"
Omega held up a hand to silence him, but kept Yuri's gaze.
Tears had formed in the corners of Yuri's eyes thinking he'd lost his chance. That he'd lost everything. His green eyes went dark and his nostrils flared and he choked on a sob. "Give him what he deserves."
Viktor closed his eyes and mourned the loss of Yuri's innocence.
Huffing in amusement, Omega patted Yuri's cheek gently. "An indirect answer, but one I still like." Smirking, he leaned in to whisper, "Watch closely, now." Omega pulled out a knife and twirled it expertly between his gloved fingers. "Minami-kun, could you hold Nekola for me, please? Get a nice tight grip."
"Of course, Oyabun!" Kenjirou happily complied, dragging Emil up and locking his arms beneath the alpha's.
"N-no! P-please!" Emil begged. "I'll give you whatever you want! Tell you whatever you want! I-I have intel! On the Bratva! Things I've learned!"
Omega let out a bored sigh as he continued to play with the knife between his fingers. "They just don't beg like they used to, do they Seung Gil?"
"No sir," Seung Gil responded, but his tone was flat. Like he didn't like this anymore than Viktor did.
"You're a coward," Omega told Emil, who had started to cry and shake. "This is why no clan would accept you. Cowardly with no loyalty. There's nothing I hate more than people who aren't loyal. Nothing." In a motion so fast Viktor barely saw it, Omega stabbed Emil in the low abdomen. Placing a hand on the back of Emil's neck for leverage, Omega began to drag the knife up his stomach all the way to his chest. Intestines began to slither out, but Omega removed his hand from the alpha's neck and shoved them back in as he removed the knife and placed it against Emil's throat. "Shh. Hold on. Suffer a little longer for me." Emil's chokes filled the room before Omega finally showed mercy and slowly dragged the knife across his throat.
Viktor desperately wanted to look away, but something kept his eyes there. As if Omega's very being demanded that his every move be watched and respected.
Once the life had completely gone from Emil's eyes, Omega released his hold and the intestines spilled onto the floor with blood. "String him up," he instructed Kenjirou, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe his blade. As if that made any difference given the amount of blood he was covered in. Kenjirou obeyed, giggling as he dragged Emil to the wall where there were a pair of handcuffs dangling from the ceiling.
Finally, Omega looked at Viktor and approached him. Reaching out a bloody hand, he cupped the side of Viktor's face gently. "My precious Vitya. Who knew you had it in you? I thought you'd break, but instead you thrived." Bending down, Omega pressed his lips to Viktor's. Even after everything he'd just witnessed, even after tasting the copper on his lips, Viktor couldn't help but kiss back. He'd never be able to escape this. He'd never be able to escape Omega. Despite it all, he loved him. He loved them both. Even when Omega terrified him to the bone. "I'm so proud of you."
Breaking Viktor free from his binds, Omega helped the alpha to his feet and wrapped an arm across his shoulders. "Can you walk?"
"Well enough," Viktor answered, though even standing on two feet was agonizingly painful. He had to lean his entire weight up against Omega, but there were no complaints. Settled in against Omega, Viktor looked up and nodded at Seung Gil. "I'm glad you survived."
"You too," Seung Gil told him. It was ever so faint, and Seung Gil would likely deny it until his dying breath, but there was a smile. Viktor was sure of it.
"Minami-kun, help little Yuri," Omega nodded over to Yuri who was still sitting down in shock and anger despite having been freed for some time.
Yuri slapped Kenjirou's hand away and stood on his own, though there was a wobble in his movements. Viktor wished he could have taken all of this away from Yuri, but there was no erasing what had happened. The halls of the Bratva lair were littered with dead bodies and blood splattered walls. Omega couldn't have done this with just Kenjirou and an injured Seung Gil.
"Did you have help?" Viktor asked.
"Leo is fantastic with a gun," Omega answered, "and to further prove Emil's ignorance, I have my own people within the Bratva. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."
Viktor's brows shot up in surprise. "You have people within the Bratva?"
Omega smirked. "The Bratva do love their omega slaves. From time to time, they keep a few for their own benefit. It's absolutely amazing the things those idiot alphas will say in the middle of passion, isn't it? Those that were serving this particular Bratva sect will be rewarded handsomely and relieved of their duty to me, but most have been within my service for years and will likely continue to serve."
It was impossible to even imagine. That omegas would willingly put themselves in such a horrible and vulnerable position to serve Yuuri. To serve Omega. They trusted them that much. "You came for me. Why? You said you wouldn't. You said you'd let me die."
Omega stopped them. Viktor looked at him, but he didn't look back, keeping those red eyes of his staring forward. "At the end of the day, I can't live without Yuuri despite how much I think I can. Just as he cannot live without me. To lose you would have killed him."
So Omega had a heart after all, it seemed. "Just admit it. You like me."
Omega wrinkled his nose in disgust. "That is not at all what I said."
"Come on-"
"Definitely not."
Viktor smiled, but the second his eyes hit the light of the outside world, he succumbed to the darkness. He was safe. Yuri was safe. His body could no longer hold out, finally giving in.
/*/
"...it's different for everyone who experiences multiple personalities. For most, the transition is seamless. There's no amnesia from personality to personality. Some, even, can speak between themselves. It's not like that with Yuuri and I."
Viktor twitched at the familiar voices in the room and the annoying beeping of something. His eyes couldn't yet open and only a few fingers moved when he tried.
"So you don't remember what happens when you're not you?" Yuri. That was Yuri.
"I do. I retain Yuuri's memories, but he doesn't retain mine." Yuuri. Or, not Yuuri. Omega. Still? Wait. Why was Omega with Yuri? Viktor tried to move again but could only feel his fingers and toes twitch.
"Why? That seems kind of weird that it would only be one way."
"It's by design. His choice. Yuuri's choice," Omega explained. "Yuuri created me because he couldn't handle the violent parts of his life. Yuuri's parents never meant for him to get involved in the business. That was supposed to fall to his sister until the incident. Yuuri was supposed to continue skating. Winning medals. Championships. The Olympics. He was always meant to chase his dream, but that got stolen from him. I was his way to cope. The Yuuri you have a horrible crush on is still here, just not always available."
"W-what?! I don't - I definitely don't have a crush on Katsuki!" Yuri tried to protest, though poorly.
"That's not what I hear," Omega teased. "I've heard you've challenged Viktor for Yuuri's hand more than once. Don't be embarrassed, I like that in an alpha! You know what you want and you're assertive. Don't lose that."
Alright. Viktor needed to wake and put an end to this immediately. With all his might he forced his body to move and immediately regretted it. With a loud groan and a hiss he shifted, and his left eye opened. The right remained completely closed.
"Viktor!" Yuri was shooting up out of his seat and sprinting to the side of Viktor's bed. "You're awake! Stay still, I'll get the nurse."
Viktor had no time to protest, the young alpha darting out of the room as quickly as he'd come. Finding a position that wasn't so horribly uncomfortable, Viktor looked at Omega with his one good eye. He reached up a hand and found that the right eye was swollen closed. Omega remained in his seat in a pristine suit with his legs crossed. He was wearing the tie Viktor had given Yuuri. "You told him about you. Why?"
Placing his hands on his knee, Omega straightened with a deep breath. "Take it from someone who has experienced horrific trauma at a young age. You need an explanation. You need to understand why it all happened to you. More than that, you need to see a light in the darkness. I showed him a different side to the madness. That I'm not always disemboweling other human beings, though a favorite past-time it may be. When Yuuri was attacked, he saw no light. There was no one to show him that it could get better, so he had to create it."
"I'm not so sure I'd consider you a light in the darkness," Viktor pointed out with a scoff.
"Hope doesn't always have to be light, I suppose," Omega agreed. "Sometimes, hope is just a way through. I proved to Yuuri that something good could come of all of this. That we could save omegas from his fate. I do what I have to without hesitation, but I'm not out looking for blood, Viktor. I simply do what I have to do to keep omegas safe. That includes Yuuri."
Viktor sighed. He'd been at odds with Omega all this time and it frankly felt exhausting. He was over it. "Yuuri isn't in danger from me."
"I was never worried you'd harm Yuuri, Viktor," Omega told him bluntly. "I was worried that his love for you would make him put himself in vulnerable positions, and I was right. Turns out, though, you can handle yourself."
Shocked by the compliment, Viktor tried to laugh, but immediately found himself in pain trying to do so. Gritting through the pain, memories flooded back to him. Memories of him stabbing one of the Bratva. "I…I killed someone."
"Does it bother you?" Omega asked, tilting his head curiously.
Not as much as it should have. Viktor didn't feel very remorseful at all now that he thought back to it. "It did in the moment, I think, but thinking about it now…I did it to try and save Yura. I don't regret that."
"Good. The first one is always the hardest, but it's made easier if there was purpose behind the kill," Omega told him.
Viktor didn't dare to ask, and yet, he did so anyway. "Who was your first kill?"
Omega smiled at Viktor in the way that sent chills down his spine. "The alphas that made me."
The nurse arrived with Yuri at her heels. She began speaking in hurried Russian asking Viktor a million questions which he answered with far less haste. Giving his vitals a quick check she scribbled them down and began to go over the list of injuries. The obvious swollen eye. A concussion. Three broken ribs. Several deep lacerations. Malnutrition. Dehydration. But hey! No broken legs or arms at least. No severed limbs. Frankly, he'd been lucky. Yuri was mostly fine. No broken bones or concussion, just a few bad cuts and bruises. Dehydration and malnutrition like him. Yuri seemed in good enough spirits. After checking Viktor's vitals and bringing him some food, the nurse left them alone.
"What day is it?" Viktor eventually asked, slowly working through his food.
"December 21st," Yuri answered solemnly.
So, they hadn't missed Nationals, but it was starting. Viktor took it by the fact Yuri was here that he wasn't skating. "Did you…did you withdraw?"
"Not yet," Yuri told him, fists grabbing onto the fabric of his hoodie. "I attended morning practice. It…it didn't go well."
"The press was all over him," Omega pointed out. "It got out that the two of you were hostages to the Bratva. The whys aren't known, which has created an even bigger stir. The assumption is money, which is as good as anything. I assure you, I leaked nothing, but the Russian government is everywhere. I'm sure they felt the need to blame the fact their top skaters are out because of the mafia."
Of course. The government had to blame the lack of medals on someone. Viktor looked up at Yuri and watched him carefully. "Yura…are you alright? Physically?"
Yuri gave an unsure shrug. "Yeah, I guess. Mostly. Skating kind of hurts, but that wasn't the problem."
"You should skate, then," Viktor told him. "I know it's hard to forget about what happened, but this is your chance to prove to everyone that you're stronger than that. That nothing will stand in your way of success.'
"But how can I skate when you're confined to a hospital bed?!" Yuri asked angrily. "It means nothing if you aren't there!"
"Stop," Viktor told him softly. "Stop measuring your success based on me. You are your own person with your own accomplishments. Own that. Enjoy it. My time on the ice has come to an end. You're the next to carry the torch."
To Viktor's surprise, Yuri's eyes filled with tears. "You're not supposed to go out like this."
Viktor smiled softly. "Maybe…maybe I'll be ok by Worlds, and I can give it one last chance." Though, it finally hit Viktor, then. His chance was gone. He would never win the gold medal for Yuuri. The thought of never skating again didn't seem as horrible until he thought of that. Then…then it seemed crippling and Viktor's heart began to break within his chest. "P-please, Yura…go out there and fight. For me. For you. For Yuuri."
Tears streamed down Yuri's face. "Ok." His voice was small, barely a whisper. "I will."
Omega placed a gentle hand on Yuri's. It seemed so unnatural for him. "Will you leave us for a moment?"
Wiping at his eyes, Yuri nodded. "Y-yeah." Shoving his hands into the pockets of his hoodie, he stepped out of the room.
"Yuuri's love for you was never about a medal, Vitya," Omega started. "It was just a way to buy him time while he tried to figure out how to make things work. Yuuri has been in love with you ever since he saw you perform The Lilac Fairy. Before I even existed. He wasn't going to let this opportunity slip away."
"And yet, you were part of the problem," Viktor points out bitterly.
Omega sighed and tilted his head. "Can you blame me? I was looking out for Yuuri, just as you were. But…I relent. You've proven yourself worthy in my eyes. You can handle this life if you're still here after all of this."
It had been what Viktor was looking for all this time - Omega's approval. But now that he finally had it…it felt bittersweet. Being tortured hadn't been how he'd wanted to earn it. "Will it even matter? Yuuri…Yuuri has stayed hidden this entire time. I don't even know what he's feeling. What he's thinking."
"He's scared," Omega told Viktor. "Horribly so. Because he loves you that much. I mean it when I said losing you would kill him. Even now, he doesn't realize that you're alright. That it's safe for him to return."
Viktor recalled the conversation he'd overheard between Omega and Yuri. "You said that you remember. That you know what happens when Yuuri is in charge. He thinks you don't."
Omega shrugged. "It's easier that way. If he knew I remembered, it would give me the upper hand. More power. While that may be why I exist, Yuuri still likes to feel somewhat in control of the situation between us."
"I told him to write you letters," Viktor confessed like a fool. "That maybe it could help ease things between you. So stupid." He'd really been an idiot through it all.
Omega was silent for a moment before drawing his lips into a tight line. "Tell him to write the letters. If it helps him, I'll write back."
"You'd really do that?" Viktor asked in disbelief. After everything Omega had put him through. After everything Omega had said and done. Had what happened really changed him that much?
"We've all done our share of fighting," Omega told him simply.
Licking his lips, Viktor shook his head in bewilderment but also relief. "You'll take care of Yura, won't you? Please. I'm worried about him."
"He's an honorary member of the clan now," Omega said. "I'll watch over him. Provide him whatever mental health assistance he needs. Be an ear, if he needs it."
Viktor nodded in satisfaction, though he felt his entire body growing heavy. "Thank you…I think…I think I need some sleep."
"I'll watch over you, too," Omega promised.
For the first time since their meeting, Viktor felt reassured by Omega's words instead of viewing them as a threat. He slipped away into sleep peacefully.
