The next time Viktor woke, neither Omega or Yuri were in the room, but shockingly Seung Gil was. He looked a little better than when Viktor had last seen him. Not so many bandages. "How did you end up getting saddled with me again?" He asked as he pushed himself up in the bed. Things didn't seem to hurt as much today, and he could open both eyes. Small victories.
Seung Gil grunted. "Oyabun wanted to watch over little Yuri personally, so that left me with you. Seems he's become attached to the kid."
"Omega is with Yura?" Viktor blinked in surprise. "Wait…Nationals. What day is it?"
"The 24th," Seung Gil answered. "Your coach withdrew Yuri and that didn't sit very well with him. Kid made a very public display of complaints over social media and suddenly was back on the roster. Short program is in a few hours, I think."
Then that meant Omega was in Moscow with Yuri. Viktor let out a small breath of relief. At least Yuri was safe. "Do you know how practice has been for him?"
"Rough, from what I've seen, but it just seems to have made him angrier and more determined," Seung Gil said.
That sounded like Yuri. "Sounds like he's doing fine, then."
Seung Gil didn't seem to agree with that, his jaw tightening. "Usually, when these things happen to people, it breaks them. They are never the same. They'll spend eternity always looking over their shoulder, scared that around the next corner they'll be taken again. Their nights are riddled with haunting nightmares. Those that don't break…they join the darkness. Little Yuri didn't break."
It took a moment for Viktor to process what it was the omega was trying to tell him, and then a heavy sense of dread and guilt filled him at the realization. "Omega is afraid he'll join the darkness." If he did, it would be all Viktor's fault. He had to believe that Omega would do what he could. Now, more than ever, Viktor wished for Yuuri. "Yuuri...he…he hasn't come back?"
Seung Gil sucked in a deep breath and let out a long sigh. "The last time Omega was around this long was when he was first born. I think the only thing that can get him back is you."
Viktor would get Yuuri back. There was no doubt in his mind.
"Little Yuri will be fine," Seung Gil tried to comfort him, though he didn't look very positive. Not that Seung Gil ever looked positive about anything. "I think him choosing to skate was the right choice for him mentally. It gives a distraction. A focus. If only the media weren't hounding him in droves doing everything in their power to remind him of what's happened."
Yes. About that. Finding the water cup, Viktor emptied it to parch his dry throat before asking the big question. "What is the official story? Should probably know so I can corroborate."
Humming, Seung Gil leaned back more comfortably in his seat. "Bratva took you both for money. Figured the state would pay big for you both. Fortunately for you two, there were a lot of internal clan issues and a civil war broke out why you were there. It gave you the chance to escape. Yuri helped get you close to a hospital where you collapsed and he called for help."
Seemed simple enough, and there was really no one to say anything otherwise. "No one else was hurt, were they? At the rink? The day they took us?"
"No," Seung Gil shook his head. "They isolated us fairly well. Purposely. Shot the place up fairly good, though. I think the rink closed down for at least a week."
They could have destroyed the entire place for all Viktor cared, as long as no one else had gotten caught up in the crossfires. Yuri having gotten caught up in all of this had been bad enough. "Yura will be alright," he whispered, trying to convince himself. With a small smile, he pointed out, "I didn't break. Well, I have had a few nightmares, but overall not bad!"
"Yes, and you joined the deepest darkness of them all," Seung Gil reminded him. "One alpha in this clan is enough. There isn't room for two. Especially not another one that is in love with Aniki."
Viktor let out a small gasp and he smiled so large that it actually made him recoil and let out a small 'ouch' from his injuries to his face. "You…you just said I was part of your clan!"
"Don't hurt yourself over it," Seung Gil grumbled, "and I never said I liked it, but I'm just lying to myself if I deny it. I don't know how you did it, but you got Omega's approval."
The alpha could see the pain in Seung Gil's face. Viktor knew. It wasn't because Omega had accepted him, it was because Seung Gil had lost his chance. "I'm…sorry. I know you love him."
"I will always love Omega, but I wasn't foolish or naive enough to think my feelings would ever be returned," Seung Gil admitted, clenching his fist. "As long…as long as he is happy. But, Viktor. Right now…he's not happy. No one is happy. Everything is in disarray no matter how much it may seem Omega is handling things. We need Yuuri back. Omega may be the enforcer, but Yuuri is the glue that keeps us all together."
So it wasn't just Viktor that wanted Yuuri back. It was everyone. They all needed him. Smiling sadly, Viktor raised his hands that were stuck with multiple needles and IVs. "Well, can't exactly do anything at the moment."
"My Russian is shit, but I think the nurses were more or less saying you're fine for discharge once you woke and felt you could retain consciousness," Seung Gil told him.
Viktor began to flex his fingers and toes and test all the limbs. "Well, I don't feel great, but I'd feel a lot better in my own bed with my dog. Speaking of, please tell me someone is watching her?"
"One of your rinkmates…the redhead? I can't remember a name."
"Mila." Viktor sighed with relief until he realized, "but she's at National's, too. Though, I guess she would know to take her to the vet. She knows where to take her.I can call them once we finish here."
Seung Gil stood. "I'll go find a nurse so we can start the paperwork."
After more pokes and prods by the nurses and the doctor, Viktor was given a bag of several medications and instructions of how to take care of himself over the next two months as his broken bones healed. There wasn't much to be done about ribs. Take it easy. Let them heal on their own. That meant time off from the ice. The prospect didn't seem as sad as Viktor thought it would be. Retirement had been on his mind for some time now. Maybe it was better he was forced into it. Otherwise, he may never be brave enough to finally do it until his body was too broken to ever skate again. He'd skate again after all of this. Unlike Yuuri.
Viktor confirmed Makkachin was at the vet on the way home, but he told them it would be tomorrow before they got her. Makkachin was a good girl, but he needed a good night's sleep without her potentially bumping into his broken ribs. He'd slept at the hospital, sure, but it hadn't been restful with all the beeping and the nurses coming in every few hours to annoy him.
Without even asking, Seung Gil managed to turn on the TV and navigate the Russian to find the figure skating competition for Viktor. "I imagine you don't have any food. Is there anything we can have delivered?"
"We have Uber Eats, you know," Viktor told him as he picked up his phone. Pairs was currently finishing and then there was a twenty minute ice resurfacing before the men's short. "What do you want?"
Crazily enough, Viktor was craving Japanese food. "There's a good ramen place not far. Lot's of food, which is good, because I'm hungry. Hospital food sucks. What do you want?"
"Whatever shoyu they have is fine," Seung Gil told him as he started rummaging through Viktor's kitchen.
Viktor looked up for his phone briefly to see what he was doing. He was pouring water and going through all of Viktor's medications. Ugh. He was about to be mothered, wasn't he? Seung Gil was Seung Gil, but he was still an omega and couldn't help himself. "I'm fine," Viktor told him as he continued scrolling through his app trying to decide what he wanted.
"Good. I didn't ask," Seung Gil said back.
"Some bedside manner you have," Viktor grumbled as he added two separate ramen bowls for himself to his cart. One for now, one for later. He may be hurt, but he was still hungry. After confirming his order he started to go through the various notifications on his phone. There were so many. Instagram and Twitter notifications from thousands of fans wishing him well. Texts from friends. Viktor ignored them all and instead pulled up Yuri's contact.
Me: You've got this, Yura. I know you can do it. Show the world what you're made of.
Viktor didn't expect a response. He knew Yuri probably still had his phone being in the last group, but he was likely trying to stay focused. He received one rather quickly.
Yura: VIKTOR! You're ok! How are you?
Me: I'm fine, don't worry about me. I'm out of the hospital, back at home with a mother hen hovering over me. Focus on you, ok? I'll be watching. Kick my ass out there, ok?!
Yura: You aren't even here!
Me: I know! Then it should be easy!
Yura: You should be here.
Me: Wouldn't do me much good. Don't even think I could manage a waltz jump at present. Yuuri is there. He'll take care of you.
Yura: ….not Yuuri…but yeah. He got a hold of a media pass somehow. I didn't ask questions. He's been backstage most of the time. Yakov is pissed, but hasn't said anything about it. I think he's too scared. He doesn't believe what the media says about what happened even though I've told him it was true. Yuuri/Omega hasn't really said anything, either, but he doesn't need to. Just standing there…I never realized how scary he can look. I guess, though, I always saw Yuuri, huh?
Well, at least Yakov had the smarts to leave well enough alone this time.
Me: Yes…it was always Yuuri you saw before, and will hopefully see soon again. We'll address that after Nationals. Until then, do your best.
Yura: I will.
They had reached the second group by the time there was a knock on the door. Despite Viktor assuring Seung Gil it was the food, the omega approached the door with a gun behind his back. Viktor had been the one tortured, and even he wasn't that paranoid. Maybe he should have been, but he didn't have the energy for it. The thing was, Yuri could practically bomb and still probably make the Olympic team. Well, not completely bomb, but he could have a fall or a hand down and be alright. The men's field for the Russians was the worst among the disciplines. After Viktor and Yuri, they didn't have anyone reliable, and now Viktor was out. Yakov's younger students had so much potential, and they would likely make the team, but they didn't have the experience. The pressure of the Olympics was unlike anything else. Even Yuri didn't have that, but he had the pure grit and drive that was needed that Viktor didn't see in the others.
As warm as the ramen was in Viktor's belly, he couldn't help but feel the butterflies as the final group took the ice. Even Seung Gil joined him on the couch, though he sat as far away as he could on the other side. He slurped his ramen annoyingly loud. Viktor knew it was a cultural thing. He knew that in Japan that was considered proper etiquette, but he also knew Seung Gil was being overly obnoxious about it.
Yuri fell on his first quad attempt. Viktor winced, knowing it hurt. Yuri's face said it all. Frustration. Annoyance. Determination. The camera panned away for a moment, so Viktor didn't see, but there was a burst of applause from the audience that he hoped was for a landed jump by the blonde. When the camera zoomed back in on him, Viktor could see the cuts and bruises still on the teens' face. They had been covered with makeup, but it didn't hide everything. Yuri went up into a triple axel. He had to turn out of the landing, but it was a landing. That was all he'd need.
"He looks stiff and nervous," Seung Gil commented as the skaters were instructed to leave the ice.
"Yes, well, he was beaten and tortured just recently," Viktor reminded him.
"He wasn't tortured," Seung Gil commented bluntly.
Letting out a small sigh, Viktor lowered his spoon and then placed his mostly empty bowl onto the coffee table. "Maybe not physically, no."
"He wasn't tortured mentally, either," the omega continued his argument. "He saw horrible things, but that isn't torture, Viktor. No more than you witnessesing the display at the river was torture. Terrible, yes, not torture."
Feeling angry on Yuri's behalf, Viktor glowered at the omega next to him. "Why are you trying to say his feelings are invalid?"
"I never said that," Seung Gil threw back, though his voice was as flat as it always was. "His feelings are completely valid. I'm not saying he didn't go through things. I'm simply saying he wasn't tortured. Be happy he wasn't."
The Korean man would always find a way to grate his nerve, even when he wasn't trying. Huffing in annoyance, Viktor turned his attention back to the screen. Of course he was happy. He'd done everything in there so that the focus had been entirely on him instead of Yuri.
"Would you really compare what little Yuri went through to what you did?" Seung Gil added for thought.
Huffing, understanding his point, he shook his head. "No, I suppose not."
"He'll be ok," Seung Gil reminded him, "because you protected him from it."
His lips twitched with a small smile. "Almost sounds like a compliment."
"I suppose all those hits to your head damaged your hearing," he grunted.
A full smile graced his face. The two of them had created their own version of communication where this was some version of being friendly. Viktor watched anxiously as each skater performed. Some upper 80s. Then mid 90s. A 98.62 from Yakov's student Ivan. No one broke 100. When Yuri's name was announced, Viktor could feel the pounding of his heart in his ears. He'd never been so nervous watching anyone on the ice ever. Yuri was skating to Swan Lake. The young alpha was supposed to be elegant and poised, but there was none of that there today. Maybe if you considered him the black swan…fighting. Fighting for something.
Yuri was set to open with a quad lutz-triple toe-loop combination. The landing on the lutz was scratchy and he couldn't get up into the triple, instead doubling the toe-loop. That was fine. That was ok. A quad-double was still a perfectly strong element in this field. His blue eyes glanced up in the top left corner at the GOE and he grunted. Pity points were being applied, it seemed. Then came the triple axel, Yuri's arguably worst jump.
Under and two-footed, and yet the GOE box was still green. Honestly, Yuri was going to be furious. He didn't need to see the footage to know he hadn't executed that cleanly. The quad salchow at the end of the program, however, was always tried and true for Yuri. That one deserved the positive GOEs it got. Yuri had never really been in character the first place, but the second the music stopped he was out of anything he had been in at all and there was disappointment all over his face.
"Looked mostly fine to me," Seung Gil mused before taking a sip of his tea.
It had been, especially considering the circumstances, but, "Yuri isn't in the business of being mostly fine. One of those jumps should have been a triple and the triple axel should be a downgrade, but I'm sure they'll only call a quarter. Lutz edge also looked a little iffy to me, but that's really neither here nor there."
Yuri's arms were completely crossed in the Kiss & Cry and he was clenching his jaw so tightly Viktor worried it might break. Through muffled audio, Viktor could hear Yakov trying to offer words of encouragement, but Yuri wasn't hearing it. The second the score popped up on the screen, 101.54, Yuri began shaking his head and then suddenly jumped to his feet to walk off.
"Why is he so angry? Isn't that a good score?" Seung Gil asked in genuine confusion.
It was a very good score. Far too good a score for what Yuri had just put out there on the ice, and he knew damn well that was the case. "He didn't deserve that score, and he knows it. I don't think the technical panel called anything. I know it's crazy to imagine a Russian being upset at overscoring, but there are a rare few of us that still have some sort of honor in this rigged system. Oi," he scratched his head and winced. "The top three press is going to be a nightmare. Yuri has never been very good at interviews as it is. He might just totally lose it."
Viktor's phone gave a buzz.
Yuri: THAT WAS BULLSHIT.
Oh hell.
Me: Well it was….something.
Me: The scoring, that is.
Me: Honestly, Yura, that was one hell of a performance considering. You stayed on two feet. Don't get angry like this.
Yuri: Fuck them! There was nothing clean about that 3A! I should be in second!
Yes, probably, but not by much. Not enough to act like this.
Me: Yura. Take a breath. Ignore the judges. Concentrate on you and the free .
Yuri: You think Omega can threaten them?
Oh, fuck no. No, no, absolutely not. Viktor was immediately calling Yuuri. Omega. The second the phone clicked with answer, Viktor was speaking, not even letting Omega get a word in. "Do something about Yura before he hurts himself or someone else. And what have you told him to make him think he can have you blackmail and/or kill the ISU judges?'
"Well, he's not wrong. I can do that," Omega told Viktor, "but I'm not sure why when they just inflated his score like that. Most skaters would be thrilled."
"Omega," Viktor hissed, having no patience for it. Omega could mess with him, but he couldn't mess with Yuri.
"Yes, yes," Omega sighed through the receiver. "I'll talk him down before the interviews. He's just worked up over everything. It's not just about the scores, I can tell. He doesn't want their pity. There's too much pride there. I…can speak to that. I've got this under control. How are you?"
The question caught Viktor off guard, especially the sincerity of it. "I…I'm alright. I'm at home with Seung Gil. I'm going to get Makka tomorrow. That will make me happy."
"Good. I'll return to St. Petersburg after this, and hopefully you can finally get Yuuri can come out."
Viktor blinked in surprise. "You…want that?"
"I'm tired, Viktor," Omega told him firmly before there was a brief pause. "And…I feel him slipping away. Usually, I can always feel him. I can feel his presence. Usually, he's such a nag in the back of my head. These days, I feel like I have to search for him to find him. It feels empty."
For months, Omega had threatened Viktor with this very thing. He'd threatened getting rid of Yuuri completely. Now that it was happening, Omega sounded scared. Viktor was certainly scared. "I'll do everything I can to get him back."
"Pass the phone to Seung Gil, please," he requested.
Somberly, Viktor did as was requested. Seung Gil took it and began speaking in Korean with Omega. The conversation seemed rather one-sided as it was mostly Seung Gil grunting and hums that Viktor found so common within that language. It always impressed Viktor how the Koreans could say so much by saying nothing at all in that way. After only about a minute, Seung Gil handed the phone back to VIktor.
"What did he say?" Viktor asked.
"If he wanted you to know, we would have spoken English," Seung Gil answered simply. "You should go to bed soon. You need rest."
Viktor was getting rather tired, but he didn't want to say that to the omega. "Thank you, mother. Help yourself to the guest room. Everything should be clean, last I can remember. Towels are in the cabinet under the sink."
"I'll sleep on the couch," Seung Gil said as he crossed his arms and leaned back to get more comfortable.
Easier to catch someone trying to break in that way, Viktor supposed. "Are you really worried the Bratva will try again?"
"No, but that doesn't mean I can be stupid and think they wouldn't," he said. "They will retaliate in some way eventually, whether it involves you or not. Oyabun has been working on having a full sect based out of Russia, but it's been slow. You can't rush good and trustworthy people, especially when you limit it to omegas only."
So not only did Omega have allies in other countries, he had sects of his own clan he'd put together. Viktor had never really asked how far his and Yuuri's reach was. He had always assumed his clan was rather small, but maybe that's just because he hadn't seen anyone other than those absolutely closest to Yuuri. When things had settled, when they finally had Yuuri back, Viktor would ask the questions. All of them. He wanted to know everything. If he was going to be a part of it, he needed to be a part of it.
But, for now, sleep. "Well, goodnight, then." He hissed in pain as he stood, the movement jostling his ribs. There was no avoiding it, but he tried to move more carefully as he headed to his bedroom. Getting in and out of clothes was slow, but he managed. A shower could wait until tomorrow. The medication was really starting to hit and he wouldn't manage to stay awake much longer. Sure enough, as soon as his head hit the pillow he was out.
/*/
Something strange was trying to wake Viktor. A cold nudge. Seung Gil? Everything about that man was cold, though Viktor didn't think he'd care to wake him. He might check if he was alive, but that would be it. No, this was different…cold. Wet. Strangely wet. Why - something warm suddenly licked his cheek. Makkachin…?
Makkachin!
Opening his eyes, Viktor was indeed greeted by the face of his faithful poodle. Woofing happily, Makkachin started to frantically lick his face. "Makka!" Viktor laughed as he eagerly ran his fingers through her fur. The pain and soreness he felt was easily ignored with the joy he was feeling at having his companion back. But, who had gotten her? Seung Gil wouldn't have left Viktor alone.
"Makkachin, calm down, you'll hurt him!"
Blinking, Viktor realized he recognized that voice. Sure enough, there was Lilia trying to wrangle Makkachin off the bed. Grunting, now noticing the pain fully, Viktor pushed himself up. "Lilia? What are you doing here? Why aren't you in Moscow?"
"Because someone needed to look after you," Lilia answered, finally giving up and letting the poodle jump on the bed.
"Down," Viktor told her, and she immediately obeyed. He gave her head a scratch.
"Imagine my surprise when I went to go see you in the hospital to learn you'd been discharged," Lilia went on, crossing her arms and giving him a firm stare of disapproval. "I'm assuming that has something to do with your mean looking friend out there."
"Oh, don't take it personally, he always looks like that," Viktor told her, so happy to have the warmth of Makkachin pressed up against him. "I'm sorry, I didn't even realize you were visiting, otherwise I certainly would have called you. I just assumed you'd be with Yura."
Softening with a sigh, Lilia brushed her palms across the back of her dress before taking a seat at the edge of the bed. "Vitya. How are you? Really?"
"Well," Viktor sucked in a breath and tilted his head side-to-side, "been better. Physically and mentally, but…I'm ok, Lilyusha. I will be ok. Please, put your focus on Yura. He needs all the support he can get."
There was a pain in Lilia's face as she played with her hands in her lap. "You are really going to go through with this after everything?"
So, Yakov had told her everything. It shouldn't have been that surprising. Even though they were no longer together, they would still always love and trust each other. "My love for Yuuri hasn't changed. In fact, maybe it's gotten stronger. I always knew this was a risk. Yuuri has been honest with me about everything from the start. He warned me this could happen. In fact, he tried to push me away because of it. He tried to keep me safe. It was me that insisted all this time."
A tear fell down Lilia's cheek and Viktor found himself shocked at the reaction. He'd never seen the alpha woman cry. "I suppose you always did go for the dangerous boys."
"I did," Viktor smiled softly. He wasn't sure if he should reach for her hand or leave her alone. In the end, he took her hand and she gripped his tight. "I know…I know there's really nothing I can say that will make you feel alright about all of this. Yuuri is a crime lord at the end of the day, and I will forever be associated with that in your eyes. But…just please trust my judgment. I won't say Yuuri hasn't done bad things, he has, but he has also done so much good. His support of the figure skating community is honest, and he has done so much to help omegas in parts of the world where things are hard for them. Maybe that's not enough, and maybe that doesn't offset the bad things he's done, but to me it matters."
Lilia wiped at further tears with her free hand. "You know, I met Yuuri once when he was on the Junior circuit. He was such a sweet boy. So incredibly shy. Couldn't even meet your eyes when you were speaking to him. Respectful, though, and grateful to be where he was. I just don't understand what happened. He could have been so successful as a Senior. Why…why quit skating and go down this dark path?"
"Because he didn't choose it," Viktor told her. "Yuuri always was going to keep skating, but that was taken away from him. He can't skate anymore physically."
"But why the mafia?!" Lilia questioned, trying to understand. "He could have turned to coaching!"
Sighing, Viktor shook his head. "Yuuri's family was always involved with the Yakuza, they were just trying to let him live his dream. I suppose it was an easy thing to fall back to, and…like I said. It's more than just crime. It's saving and helping omegas that were targeted like him. You know how bad Russia secretly is about omega trafficking. The government and media throw it all under the rug like it doesn't exist, but omegas go missing all the time. Especially tourists. Yuuri can't stop it, but he's trying his best to minimize it. Me being kidnapped had nothing to do with me or money. It had everything to do with getting back at Yuuri for ruining the Bratva's business."
Closing her eyes, Lilia tried to process his words and choose her next ones. "I know I can't change your mind. Yakov and I have never been able to do that, no matter how we tried. Just promise me you will be careful and…don't get anyone else involved."
"I never meant for Yura to get involved," Viktor promised. "He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. No one else will get caught up in this. I…I'm done, Lilyusha. My career is over. I'll go back to Japan with Yuuri. I'll do what ice shows I can, maybe some choreography, but I just want to focus on being with him."
"Vitya, don't go out like this. The Olympics may be out, but you still have Worlds. Please. Have your encore," Lilia pleaded. "Give yourself the proper closure you deserve. You'll regret it if you don't."
Viktor wasn't sure. He didn't know if his heart could be in it enough for one last show. "We'll see. A lot will depend on my recovery. I will not compete if it's not at the level I expect of myself. The level my fans expect."
"I suppose that's fair," Lilia agreed. "Just promise me you'll give it an honest shot."
"I promise," Viktor nodded. Maybe he could get Yuuri one last gold, afterall.
Lilia released Viktor's hand and gave his leg a pat. "Well. Is there anything you need? Food? Supplies?"
"No. Thank you. If I need something, I'll subject Seung Gil to getting it. He likes to stay busy," he lied with a smile. "Thank you for bringing me Makkachin."
Leaning in, Lilia gave his cheek a kiss. "I love you, Vitya. Please, don't be a stranger. Let me know if there's anything you need."
"I will," Viktor promised.
"Happy Birthday, my sweet boy," she stroked his cheek lovingly.
Oh. It was his birthday? So it was. "Thank you."
"I brought you some pancakes and tea. It's in the kitchen for you when you're ready."
With one final smile, Lilia saw herself out. Viktor felt so guilty. More so than he did with Yakov, because of how nicely she reacted to everything. Lilia had always been even harder on him than Yakov had, but it was because she cared the most. Seung Gil entered the doorway a few moments after Viktor heard the front door close and he leaned against the frame as he ate away at an apple.
"She left you breakfast," he eventually said. "How horrible of you to have to spend your birthday with me. If I had realized, I would have made sure to make it a miserable experience for you."
"Don't you fret, you just existing makes it a miserable experience," Viktor teased back. "Let me at least shower in peace, and then I'll be out to eat."
Seung Gil hummed. "If you fall, don't bother yelling. I'll just ignore you."
"Of course. I'll do my best to remain on two feet."
Viktor's bruises had turned from purple and blue to yellow and gray. He still looked rather horrible, but there were clear signs of healing. On the mend. Everything was still painful, but not agonizingly so. More like just irritating. It felt good to be clean and wash his hair, worth every bit of discomfort. Feeling fresh, Viktor finally whistled at Makkachin and made his way to the living room. It was full of flowers.
"The smell is horrific," Seung Gil huffed with a wrinkle of his nose.
Blue. Blue roses. Blue iris. Blue hydrangea. Blue, blue, blue. Having Yuuri do this would have been enough to make his heart burst but…this hadn't been Yuuri. This had been Omega. Viktor couldn't hide the emotion he felt, and his eyes got watery as he reached out to brush a velvety petal. "Omega did this?"
"I told you, you won him over," Seung Gil confirmed, trying not to look so dejected at the thought. "Your breakfast is there along with your meds. I'm not walking your dog."
"That's fine," Viktor said as he took a seat at his island and grabbed the bag Lilia had brought. "But are you really going to let me walk the streets by myself?"
"Oh, I'll go with you, I'm just not holding the dog," Seung Gil clarified. "I don't care how much it hurts you."
Viktor couldn't help but laugh. They were friends, whether Seung Gil liked it or not.
They fell into a rhythm over the next two days of walking Seung Gil, ordering food, and watching Nationals as they criticized the judging. By the end of the women's short, he'd even gotten Seung Gil to recognize when someone was vastly overscored and even had him screaming at the television a few times. He felt a bit proud of himself for it. Viktor had never liked the inflation he'd gotten just because of his passport. It felt wrong. Unearned. He wanted fair judging for everyone. Maybe that was something he and Yuuri could fight for after he retired. Reform. Change. Improvement.
By the time the free skate came for the men, Viktor was a bundle of nerves. He wasn't technically supposed to be drinking on his medication, but Seung Gil placed an open bottle of vodka on the table without a word. He might have poured himself a small glass. Maybe a little more than small. Ok listen, it was a big one, but he was stressed! Reports from practice had been mostly positive for Yuri since the short. Tight. Not as fluid as he usually was, but he was getting the jumps done. The skaters before Yuri were messy. So much potential, but the nerves got to them. The door was wide open for Yuri, but Viktor knew that Yuri's mind was no longer on the gold. It was about getting the job done from his perspective.
Yuri's free was much better for him to interpret in this current state of mind. It was quicker, more powerful, more forceful. Still a ballet, but one he could attack aggressively. He did just that. While he doubled an intended triple, and even unfortunately singled an intended triple, everything was clean. There were no doubts on the rotation or edges in Viktor's eyes. Despite the mistakes, it would win by a mile. If Yuri could actually skate clean…it would be incredible.
220.32. It hadn't beaten Viktor's world record, but it had been close. With mistakes it had been within mere points. Not that National scores ever mattered, but still. Viktor couldn't help but smile. Yuri didn't seem happy given he'd made mistakes, but there was at least a silent satisfaction. If Yuri could survive this pressure, he could do anything. He'd be alright, just as Seung Gil had promised.
During the interviews, Yuri seemed more put together. While a lot of questions were fired at him regarding the Bratva and the kidnapping, he had mostly politely requested they fuck off and simply stick to skating. One reporter had dared to ask him if he actually deserved to go to the Olympics given the drama he'd caused. Yuri had snorted and asked "Who else would you send?"
With the competition done, Viktor felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He took Makkachin on longer walks and he began to do stretches and exercises in his apartment. Whatever his body would safely allow him to do. Yuri's success had motivated him. Lilia was right. He couldn't end everything like this. One last go. A swan song. The odds of Viktor winning weren't really good all things considered, but at least he could go out swinging.
Yuri seemed happy enough. He had texted Viktor frequently. More than he'd ever text Viktor in his entire life. It was strange to think that it had taken such a horrific event for the two to become this close, but also…it seemed right. Omega, however, remained fairly silent other than wishing Viktor a Happy Birthday. Viktor tried not to take it too personally. The omega probably had so much on his mind that Viktor couldn't even imagine. Watching after Yuri. Watching over Viktor. Protecting his clan. Initiating a counter-attack on the Bratva. Worrying about Yuuri. He had to be stressed.
So when Omega showed up unannounced at Viktor's front door, he was surprised.
"Can I come in?" Omega asked.
Nodding, Viktor opened the door wider. Makkachin, unable to tell the difference between Yuuri and Omega, greeted him excitedly. Omega didn't turn the poodle down, giving her a scratch behind the ears. Omega looked at Seung Gil and turned his head towards the door. Without a word, Seung Gil dipped his head and left.
"Good to see you," Viktor started, a little unsure of where to begin. Yes, things between him and Omega were better, but they were still awkward and unsure. "Thank you for the flowers."
"I know I'm not Yuuri, but I think that's what he would have done," Omega told him. It was strange the way the omega was avoiding Viktor's gaze and instead concentrating on Makkachin. The poodle was happy for the attention, but it drew Viktor's attention in a concerning way.
"What's wrong?" Viktor asked, afraid of the answer.
Sucking in a breath, Omega looked to the ground instead of at Viktor. It raised so many alarms. Omega wasn't confident. He wasn't sure of himself. Something was wrong. Moving into a squat, Omega wrapped his arms around Makkachin who buried her muzzle into the crook of the man's neck with a low wagging tail. "It's so much. It's overwhelming. I've always been the enforcer, but never the ruler. Over the last few weeks, I've had to be both, and I don't know how to do it. It's too much."
Viktor didn't think he'd ever see the day. The day that Omega became vulnerable. Became…a real person. Slowly, Viktor approached Omega and joined him on the floor on his knees. Leaning forward, he wrapped his arms around the omega and Makkachin. "You're not alone. Even as Omega, you're not alone."
"Please," Omega's voice quivered, "please ask for Yuuri. Get him back."
Swallowing hard, Viktor shifted so that he could cradle Omega's face in his hands. Titling his head up, he looked into those red eyes. Once murderous, they were now afraid. "Yuuri. Please. Hear my voice. I'm alright, my love. I know you're worried, but I'm ok. I'm ok, and I'm desperately waiting for you. Come back to me. We're waiting. We're all waiting."
Clenching his jaw, Omega closed his eyes. "It's not working."
"Yuuri." Viktor grabbed Omega's jaw and tilted it up. "Come back to me. My love." Without hesitation, Viktor went in for the kiss. Kissing Omega was certainly not the same as kissing Yuuri. Omega was tense and certainly made no move to intensify it.
After a moment, Omega huffed and his shoulders drooped as he pushed away from Viktor. "Not as simple as you thought it would be, is it?"
"You're fighting it," Viktor argued in equal irritation. "Sit down on the couch and just close your eyes."
Raising a questioning eyebrow, Omega tried to argue, but Viktor held out a firm hand towards the couch. With a sigh, Omega complied. Makkachin immediately wedged herself between Omega's legs and placed her head on his lap. Good girl. Makkachin would definitely help bring Yuuri back.
"Come on, Yuuri. Don't you miss Vicchan? I know he misses you. Makka misses you, too. Can you feel her there?" Omega placed a hand on Makkachin's head making her tail wag. "Can you feel me?" Viktor approached and placed a hand against Omega's face. "Yuuri. I know you feel guilty. You feel responsible for what happened to me. It's not your fault. We talked about this. I assumed all the risks. I don't blame you. In fact, you're the reason I survived. You can't just not come back to me. Don't let my survival be for nothing. I…I have one last medal to win for you, Yuuri. Come back and watch me win it."
Viktor watched and waited, his thumbs caressing Omega's skin. Time seemed to stop completely as he hoped to catch any sort of change. It went on long enough with no change that even Viktor started to lose hope, and then Omega seemed to crumble in Viktor's hands and tears were falling from his closed eyes.
"V-Vitya?" Yuuri's voice cracked.
Falling to his knees in relief Viktor pulled Yuuri into his arms. "Yuuri!" Makkachin hopped up in her own excitement, licking Yuuri's face. "You're back! You're back, my love!"
Letting out a small laugh at Makkachin, Yuuri finally opened his eyes. Warm cinnamon brown. They were filled with a light as he kissed Makkachin back and scratched her head, but that light died as he looked at Viktor. "Your face…," with a shaky hand, Yuuri reached up and touched one of the healing bruises.
Viktor took his hand and kissed his palm. "Stop it. I know what you're thinking. Stop it. I'm alright. Yura's alright. We knew this might happen."
"I knew Nekola was up to something, but I never thought he would actually work with the Bratva," Yuuri shook his head, still holding onto that guilt. "I was an idiot. I should have been there to protect you."
"You were," Viktor argued. "In the end, you were. You and Omega came for me."
Yuuri lowered his gaze and shook his head. "I didn't do anything. I did nothing. Omega was the one to come for you. I got scared like I always do and ran away."
"It's not running away to allow the part of you that understands the situation to take control," Viktor told him in a soothing and reassuring voice. "Omega is a part of you, as much as you are a part of him. Two separate minds, but you make up a whole. You two have spent so much time working against each other that I think you've failed to realize what you can do together."
Blinking away tears, Yuuri looked at Viktor in surprise. "Since when are you on Omega's side?"
"Well, I suppose since he slaughtered an entire mafia group to save me," Viktor shrugged with a smile. "Let's just say, we've gotten to know each other better and we've reached an understanding. He's no longer actively wishing death on me."
Unable to hold it in, Yuuri let out a laugh as he wiped his eyes and cheeks. "I have to hear the full story."
"One I'm more than happy to tell," Viktor leaned in and pressed his lips to Yuuri's. This time, he was kissed back. "But maybe after you've had some time to settle back in?"
Yuuri hummed and looked around to take in his surroundings. "You're…apartment. I'm in St. Petersburg?"
Right. Omega could remember being Yuuri, but not the other way around. "Yes. Seung Gil is here, too, though Omega asked him to step out."
"But-," Yuuri stood and his eyes went wide in realization. "Wait, what day is it? It was almost Nationals when-,"
Sighing, Viktor nodded, confirming what he was thinking. "Nationals is over. I had to withdraw. Yura fought on, though. You know how stubborn he is. Shaky performances, but he was overscored in typical Russian Nats fashion and won."
Lower lip quivering, Yuuri choked back a sob. "Vitya, I'm so sorry. I've ruined everything. You can't go to the Olympics."
"I don't care about the Olympics, Yuuri," Viktor told him, pulling Yuuri into a hug and burying his nose against his neck. "I have my Olympic golds. Two of them. I never cared about a third title. I only wanted it because you asked for it. The only thing gold and round that I need is on our fingers."
Yuuri still cried against his chest, letting out everything he must have been holding in. His fingers tug into the skin of Viktor's back, using him as an anchor. "P-please…please tell me you can still skate."
"Oh, my love, of course I can," Viktor kissed his forehead. "I'll make a full recovery. The ice can't get rid of me that easily."
With a shuddered sigh, Yuuri breathed out in relief. "I love you, Vitya."
"I love you, too, Yuuri, and I'm not going anywhere." Nuzzling his nose against the black locks of Yuuri's hair, he breathed in the omega's scent. "Wherever you go, that's now my home. As long as you'll have me. I know I wasn't able to uphold my end of the bargain, but I'm hoping you'll grant an exception."
"You idiot, it didn't matter if you came in last," Yuuri half-sobbed, half-laughed. "I just thought by then you would have left me and it wouldn't have mattered. That you would have realized you couldn't live this life."
"Well, too bad for you, I'm still here," Viktor smiled. "It's not the life I envisioned, but I can live it. I can live by your side. But, I have one last thing I have to do."
Yuuri looked up at Viktor through wet and dark lashes. "What is it?"
"I have to compete one last time, Yuuri. I have to complete my legacy. Worlds isn't the Olympics, but it's satisfying enough for me to end my career on. Whether it's first or last, I have to end my career on the ice, not off it."
Yuuri smiled back at him. "Well...if you're going to compete one last time, you need a proper place to rest and recover. There's only one place I know that can heal all the wounds of the body and mind in record time."
"Oh?" Viktor raised a curious eyebrow.
"Home," Yuuri responded.
The idea of returning to Yuuri's home in Japan did sound quite nice. "The gardens were rather calming last time I visited."
Yuuri laughed. That warm laugh that Viktor loved and had missed so much. "Not that home. My childhood home."
His childhood home? Wait, that meant -
"Let's go to Hasetsu."
