Otabek didn't want to be a pixie, you know, one of those skaters who rush out to get all the stuffed animals and crap off the ice after a performance? Yeah, that was not how he wanted to be spending the Junior Olympics. It's humiliating for one thing, he's the only boy running around the rink to grab stuffed animals for kids younger than him.
And they're better than him. It's just an undeniable fact that these kids are basically on a pipeline to international prestige. Otabek, on the other hand, is just a wide-eyed hopeful looking for someone to take a chance on him.
Well, maybe that's not entirely fair, Celestino has taken a chance on him. He just keeps saying that he's not built for the junior division (whatever that means) and that once he's old enough for the senior division he can start competing. But that's still two years away at least considering his growth spurt is on the horizon. How is he ever going to be one of skating's top athletes if he can't even compete in juniors?
Speak of the devil, Celestino sits beside him as the next skater takes the ice.
"I can see you're not enjoying yourself, Otabek. Care to share what's on your mind?" He asks kindly.
"No." Otabek pouts further.
"I'm sure whatever it is, I can help."
His eyes flash over to where the competitors are warming up. His gaze falls to one Yuri Plisetsky, in first place after the short program and basically shoo-in for gold at just 13 years old. The blonde wonder landed (well he stumbled but he still got enough rotations which is just insane) a quad sal at nationals a few weeks earlier, and God did Otabek envy him. Well okay, envy and admire basically mean the same thing, right?
Celestino follows his gaze and pats his shoulder to bring him back to their conversation.
"I'm never going to be good enough for this, am I?" Otabek chances the question.
"I'll tell you a little secret." Celestino scoots closer to him, "I'm keeping you from juniors skating because I know that your talent is better suited for seniors. When you came to me, you said that you wouldn't take ballet and that you're not a dancer. You're right about those things, you're a powerful skater. You're strong and captivating on the ice, which isn't a skill these skaters possess."
Otabek glances up wearily at his coach, "But they're so good."
"Yes, in their own way. Just like you. You are a phenomenal skater with a very bright future ahead of you. Everyone needs time to grow and you're taking yours. Try to enjoy the rest of the performances, see what you can learn from them."
Celestino pets his head affectionately, Otabek appreciates the gesture and he does smile at his coach before skating out to collect yet more stuffed animals. He's still upset, he's a stubborn kid (according to his mother) so it only makes sense. But he watches the next skater with a renewed sense of purpose.
He scans their program for things he can and can't do, he watches how their body moves and tries to figure out how his stocky frame could contort like that. When Yuri Plisetsky takes the ice, he's all but enraptured by the young skater.
If Otabek were asked (and he is never asked but he's going to say it anyway) who the greatest skater in the world is, he'd say Yuri Plisetsky. Sure, the kid is only a junior, but his talent is unmatched. In a few years and with the right coaching (which he has if Yakov's illustrious career doesn't speak for itself, Viktor King-of-the-Ice Nikiforov is watching from the sidelines as well) he'll be the best of the best.
Otabek can only dream of skating on the same ice as him, it's like Yuri doesn't even have to try to be incredible. Between his flexibility and his musicality, not to mention a technical score high enough to go toe-to-toe with some seniors, he's a perfect skater. Yes, perfect is the word Otabek would use for him.
Maybe being a pixie isn't so bad, he gets a front row view of the most incredible performance Yuri's given to date. He skates onto the ice with a renewed sense of purpose, digging his blades deep into the ice as he scoops up kitten plushies with energetic fervor.
He's looking down as he barrels into another figure and the sharp pain in his elbow is the least of his worries…
Yuri is pretty sure he's ready for a senior event now. Sure, it's only his first competitive season and yes, he is only 13. But he's decided here and now that he's ready for a real challenge. Real competition.
His short program wasn't even flawless, but it was ten times better than anyone else's program. That's all that mattered, really. His technicality is miles ahead of his peers, he has more control of his limbs than some fully grown adults, and most importantly of all he has the persistence to win. He's a winner through and through.
Even if Viktor says otherwise.
Viktor always says that Yuri isn't a performer, that he doesn't live and breathe the stories of his pieces. His excuse? The stories in these pieces are garbage. It's always Little Red Riding Hood, or Alice in Wonderland, or some other tripe bullshit. Childish stories for childish pieces.
His own short program is Bluebird from Sleeping Beauty and he loathes it. From the costume to the cheery music, all the way down to his quote-on-quote character being a fucking bird for a princess's shotgun wedding. Ballet is weird. Kids programs for figure skating are even stranger.
Yakov had been insistent, however, that the piece is solid technically and that the style fits him well. Given that he's won every gold medal available to him with the damn thing, it has to be true. Of course, a short program alone does not a winner make.
Far and away he prefers his free skate, it isn't cutesy or showy like other kids trying to garner artistry points. It's a dynamic piece, more grown up and explosive. His Pan's Labyrinth medley is a truly compelling piece both in difficulty and in artistry. It makes him feel more serious than the other kids and it makes him feel like he's coming into his own as a skater.
He's no longer a little kid in a crowded class of thirty students that are only halfhearted in their pursuits. He's in the big leagues and he belongs here.
"Now remember, tell a story with your skating, Yuri." Viktor says as they approach the ice, the other skater is halfway through their program now. "Express yourself don't get distracted by your technical elements."
"Viktor, don't tell him to neglect his technique." Yakov groans.
"I'm not! His artistry is where his scores are always lacking." Viktor justifies himself.
Yuri rolls his eyes and continues to warmup as Viktor and Yavok devolve into an argument neither of them will win. He catches sight of the young pixies, they aren't even paying attention to the performer. And hey, the current performer may suck but these kids should at least pay attention.
Well… there is one kid who's watching with intent eyes. His dark gaze scanning the skater with deep interest, Yuri's worn that look many times. Mostly while watching Vitya. Yuri wonders for all of a minute what could be learned from such a mediocre performance. Then he thinks about what Viktor has told him in their brief time as rink mates; there's always something to be learned from others, always something they have that you don't.
"Yuri, are you ready?" Yakov calls breaking him from his trance.
"Yeah." Yuri turns towards the entrance to the ice.
The pixies make quick work of cleaning the ice and he skates out to the center of the ice for the start of his program. There's something that doesn't feel… right, about this program. He still puts everything he has into it, Yuri Plisetsky doesn't do half-assed, but it feels wrong. Some part of his heart just isn't in the performance.
He feels… almost a little bit sad and he can't explain why. It's a clean skate, he can give himself that much credit, but Yakov is going to give him hell for not exceeding any expectations. It's just the Junior Olympics anyway, who cares? He'll get gold just like all those other times and it'll be fine.
He takes a bow to the crowd of spectators who cheer for him despite his own feelings about the performance. He spots a particularly cute plushie that the thrower managed get to the center of the ice. It reminds him of one of the neighborhood cats who always headbutts him while he waits for the bus in the morning.
It's a split second decision really, to go in and grab it. When he collides into something firm that knocks him flat on his ass, his instinct is to berate his attacker.
The words never come out, however, as his eyes meet a dark strangely familiar gaze. And there's an odd emanating light coming from his right hand…
Shock ripples through the pair of them, first it's because they're baffled by the fall in general. Then it's because they lock eyes and feel a strange sense of familiarity pass through them. Finally, the bright silvery rope that binds them together that glows brightly against the ice captures their attention. Otabek's left hand and Yuri's right are tied up in the ethereal knots of fate.
Yuri stumbles back on instinct without realizing that means Otabek gets pulled with him. Their heads knock into one another before either of them has enough time to stop it. Otabek tries to put his hand on the sore spot and is nearly blinded by the light of his wrist.
They both hesitate for a moment, their instincts are muddled between scrambling away and leaning in closer. The intrigue of this scene tugs at something deep within them.
"What the hell?" Yuri mutters distantly, as if he merely meant to think the words and not speak them.
"Yeah… the hell…" Otabek stutters out in response. It's all he can manage with the thousands of thoughts filtering through his mind right now.
Yuri would never admit that his heart skips a beat. But oh good lord it does, it does because that's what his soulmate sounds like. Instead, he swallows to avoid speaking further and he shakes his hand as if to test how tight the binding is.
There's hardly three inches of space between their wrists before the tether grows taut and causes Otabek to slide closer still to Yuri.
"This isn't… real, right?" Yuri asks but he instantly panics when he sees the hurt cross his soulmates expression. "I mean I'm only 13! Soulmates don't meet this young right!?"
Otabek is too busy losing his shit to think about that because: holy shit my soulmate is Yuri fucking Plisetsky and I just completely took him out I hope he's not hurt and my mom is going to kill me and oh my god my parents saw me biff it on the ice with my crush who is my fucking soulmate.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that!" Suddenly, Yuri is launching himself into Otabek's body. The hug is awkward at best given their locked wrists, Otabek almost punches himself in the face but Yuri hardly notices. He's sufficiently distracted trying to keep himself from dissolving into tears at the thought that he has known his soulmate for all of twenty seconds and the first thing he does is insult him. What the fuck?
"Hey, uh… it's no big deal!" Otabek attempts to comfort him. The bubbling excitement in his chest suddenly wins out over his embarrassment. All of those other thoughts fade into the background because he has a soulmate. Not only that, he's found his soulmate, and it's Yuri Plisetsky. Of all the people on this fucking planet to be his other half, never in a million years did he dream it'd be him.
Then the harsh reality of the situation floods back into his mind because Yuri is right. People don't usually meet their soulmates until they're around sixteen, often times they're much older than that. The truth is something like this has never happened before.
The youngest person Yuri's ever heard of meeting their soulmate is 15. Otabek's heard of childhood friends who don't find out about their soul bond until they're 20 for crying out loud. So how in the name of all that is good and holy did a 13-year-old and a 15-year-old manage to bond so quickly when they've never met before? Did the universe not trust them to find their way back to one another?
An equally terrifying thought slips into Otabek's already faltering mind: Is our bond really that strong? Does that mean it's… a romantic bond?
Yuri pulls away, blushing furiously as he does. "No big deal!? I'm pretty sure there isn't a bigger deal on earth than meeting your damn soulmate!"
Otabek's face burns a bright red. "That's not what I meant, I… I'm sorry."
"Wait fuck, I'm sorry I didn't mean to-"
"Really it's fine!"
They both stop talking because it's so painfully awkward to say anything at all. Otabek (and to a lesser extent, Yuri) explores the possibility of what type of bond this is.
The fact of the matter is a lot of people don't have soulmates at all. More than three quarters of the population don't have some fate driven tether to another person. The small portion of the population that do manage to have (and find) their soulmates have a relationship that is, more often than not, one of deep friendship. Hell, some soulmates are literally just coworkers that have a deep trust between them. Even still, some are simply strong bonds of a nature that no name can define; not romantic or friendly, not even sexual or familial, it's just this indescribable connection.
Romantic love is the rarest type of soul bond, it's seen as the deepest and strongest bond two souls can have. There are all sorts of stories throughout history about these kinds of connections. Some say that a love bond can only be achieved if two souls have met in dozens of lifetimes. Regardless, they're rare and highly sought-after stories that the public fall head over heels for.
And yeah, maybe the thought of that is making Yuri panic, just a little. He feels so visible and for the first time in his life he hates that he's the center of attention. Meeting your soulmate is supposed to be… well maybe intimate isn't the right word, but it's not meant to be this public.
This kid, whoever he is, is his soulmate and nobody else should be witnessing this moment. Least of all thousands of figure skating fans at the fucking Junior Olympics. He feels a flare of protectiveness heat up his bones as he stands from the ice, moving in such a way as to shield Otabek from the roaring crowd.
Otabek tries to stand but fumbles and flops over bringing Yuri's defensive stance down on top of him. They're like a pair of fucking stooges with the way they keep stumbling around and it's embarrassing.
"You okay?" Yuri asks once he's righted himself once more.
"Oh yeah, totally! I'm good." Otabek's voice trembles just enough to give Yuri pause. This time, Yuri assists Otabek in standing up.
Otabek is so close to losing his shit, he's making a goddamn idiot of himself in front of Yuri. His idol is standing there gawking at him because he can barely stand on his own two feet like a loser.
Little does he know, Yuri is too busy panicking in his own head to give a shit. And sure, maybe he's a little scared because as much as he hates to admit it, he's a kid. Finding your soulmate is a big deal and it makes life a lot more complicated… shit, he's only 13… He doesn't know this guy, he doesn't know how to handle this… and he's going to be the most important person in his life for crying out loud.
How important even is important? His mind wonders dangerously.
They finally skate off the ice, the chanting crowd applauds even louder, Yuri is only slightly confused because seconds before it had been pin-drop silent. At least in his own mind it had been.
As they finally reach the edge of the rink, Yakov and Celestino cut their hushed conversation short to greet their skaters.
"Are you both alright?" Celestino asks, placing a gentle hand on Otabek's shoulder.
"Yes, sir." Otabek nods.
"Yura, get your skate guards on, we have a lot to discuss." Yakov hands him the guards and drapes his club jacket over his shoulders.
"Yakov, don't talk to him like that. He'll think he's in trouble!" Viktor scolds him. "Congratulations on finding your soulmate, Yuri!"
It's then that Yuri becomes even more aware of the cameras swarming their little group. The bodies of the older men do their best to block out the interested media, but it still feels entirely too overwhelming. He feels so small and helpless as he stumbles to get his skate guards on. He doesn't even have his dominant hand because his soulmate is bound to it.
"Here, let me help." Otabek mutters, reaching down to slip on the guard for him.
"I can do it." Yuri insists. They both lean in at the same time and Yuri's knee smashes into Otabek's shoulder. He stumbles in pain, pulling Yuri with him, the smaller boy ends up laying completely on top of Otabek.
"Awe! They can't keep their hands off each other!" Viktor coos.
"That's not what's happening and you know it!" Yakov shouts at him.
Ciao Ciao kneels down with them and slips Yuri's skate guards on.
"It's okay, you're both fine." He assures them, "Let's get you to the Kiss and Cry."
"Ugh, god." Yuri moans standing up.
"Are you hurt?" Otabek grimaces, "I'm sorry it's just-"
"Not your fault." Yuri cuts him off harshly.
"Well it had to be someone's fault." Otabek says boldly.
"What do you want me to call you an idiot?" Yuri snaps. "God, I'm being such an asshole right now, fuck. I'm sorry."
"Yura watch your language." Yakov hisses in his ear as puts a protective arm around his skater. "We will discuss this in a moment."
Yuri can't believe he has to sit in the fucking Kiss and Cry in the first five minutes of meeting his soulmate. What kind of shit is this?
"Um…" Otabek clears his throat, pushing the kitten plushie that caused this whole mess into Yuri's hand. "Here."
Yuri blushes at the offering. "Thanks…"
Yuri subconsciously begins to clutch the toy to his chest, it smells new but also strangely a little like coffee. He wonders if that's from Otabek or the person that threw the plush, and it makes him mad that he's even questioning it.
Otabek glances at him and Yuri suddenly realizes he's been staring.
"What's your name?" Yuri blurts out unceremoniously. He wants to die after the words exit his stupid fucking mouth. How lame is that? Asking your soulmate their name? What the fuck is wrong with him?
"Oh, right… I'm Otabek… Otabek Altin." Otabek's face is hot with embarrassment. Why didn't he say that sooner!?
"I'm Yuri. Yuri Plisetsky." Yuri offers lamely.
"I know." Otabek's breath hitches in his throat. "I mean! Uh… I've heard it on the… The announcers have been, uh…"
"I get it." Yuri assures him, his bound hand clutches Otabek's. Their faces begin to burn even brighter at the contact and they look away from one another quickly, but their hands don't move. Neither of them will admit it, but the contact is nice. It feels like the only thing that's right in the world no matter how terrifying that idea is to them.
Otabek thinks Yuri's hand is the softest thing he's ever held, the slight dampness doesn't bother him either. Yuri thinks Otabek has a strong grip and his skin is warm even if it's rough against his own.
"I can't stand it! You two are just darling, look at you blushing." Viktor holds his face in admiration at the pair.
"Shut up, Vitya!" Yuri spits at him.
"He even gave you a present, it's so cute I could die." Viktor's theatrics are not making the situation any better.
Otabek didn't envision his first time in the Kiss and Cry being with two of the best figure skaters of all time. He most definitely didn't imagine being connected to one of them with a fucking soul bond either. Yet here he is, anxiously awaiting the scores for his soulmate.
"I said shut up!" Yuri reiterates.
"Am I embarrassing you in front of your soulmate, Yura? As your father figure that's my job and your Otabek needs to get used to it." Viktor says with a teasing grin.
"You're not my father figure." Yuri huffs.
"I know you think of me as a cool older brother, but I am in charge of you when we travel which makes me your father." Viktor reminds him.
"You're so weird." Yuri shivers.
"Yurachka, your score's coming up." Yakov puts a hand on his shoulder.
Yuri stares blindly at the score board, he really doesn't care what the numbers are. He's waiting to see them so he can get the fuck out of here. So he can go home and-… fuck there's nowhere for him to go because he's bound to Otabek for another 24 hours.
He has to feel fidgety and anxious for the next full day of his life because he's bound to his soulmate. The scariest thought filters through his mind then: I don't want to be without him.
When the numbers finally light up the score board, he's in shock. It's the highest score of the day by a long shot and it's his new personal best. Yuri can't help but smile at it, at least his soulmate saw his best performance to date. Even if Yuri's been making a complete fool of himself since then…
He turns to look at Otabek and is caught completely off guard when their lips meet.
Otabek didn't mean to kiss Yuri, it just sort of… happened. In the heat of his excitement (because his soulmate just won the Junior Olympics for God's sake) he was trying to pull him in for a hug. Instead their lips crash together and they're both too stunned to move; until the seconds of shock pass over them and they are once again in control of their bodies enough to pull back. Both are completely dumbfounded with gaping mouths and wide unblinking eyes.
Yuri raises his free hand to touch his tingling lips and Otabek's face goes from crimson to pale in a fraction of a second.
"Their first kiss! Incredible!" Viktor wraps his arms around Yuri's shoulders. Yuri doesn't even fight off Viktor he's just too overwhelmed to do anything at all.
Otabek would like very much to stop breathing. His soulmate has only just learned his fucking name and now they've kissed. Not only in front of thousands of people, but they're being filmed from every angle. Their meeting, their first kiss, is being broadcast to millions around the world. Oh fuck… Oh fuck this is bad. What if they're not even meant to be romantic soulmates!? Otabek's really screwed the pooch now.
"Let's go you two, come on." Ciao Ciao's soft intonations break them out of their trance.
Otabek stands far too quickly and the action sends Yuri stumbling to catch his footing. He bites down hard on his trembling lip because he's not about to start crying, that's the absolute last thing he needs right now. Yuri holds the kitten plushie in a death grip as he stands on trembling legs.
A terrifying thought filters through his mind: How many soulmates in the world are gay? He wonders. It startles and frightens him down to his core. Yuri knows he's gay, he always has and it's never really bothered him before, it's not something he has to showcase. Hell, it was nobody's fucking business until today.
The world is unkind enough to him as a public figure at 13 and suddenly he has a soulmate who's also a boy. It's one thing to have a soulmate, it's another entirely for that soulmate to be romantic. Now, regardless of what their bond actually is, they've kissed on live tv. They kissed on live fucking television.
Celestino and Yakov push the reporters back as Viktor ushers them into the locker room. Viktor starts asking the other coaches to take their skaters out of the room while Otabek and Yuri sit on a bench.
Otabek turns to finally apologize to Yuri when he notices the tears spilling down his cheeks. The blonde's face remains mostly unchanged, but the streaks leave track marks as they trail his features.
"Hey, it's okay." Otabek's voice is softer than it's ever been. Yuri sniffles and wordlessly hides his face in Otabeks' chest. "I'm sorry, I didn't… I didn't mean to-"
"What's going to happen?" Yuri asks weakly.
"I don't know." Otabek says, his breath mussing up some of Yuri's hair. "I don't know what's going to happen and I'm sorry. I wish I could make this better."
"Are they-… Are they going to hate us?" Yuri hiccups. "Because… because we're both boys?"
"I don't think so." Otabek says. That was never even a blip on his radar, that the world could hate them for what their souls are demanding.
"What if they do?" Yuri looks up at Otabek.
Otabek's heart breaks seeing the pure unadulterated fear in his soulmate's eyes. "Then they can go to hell. Them, not us."
"But-"
"It's our bond, it's no one else's business if we're supposed to love each other or how we're supposed to love each other. If they hate us that's their problem."
Yuri's heart throbs in his chest at the word us. He thinks, us has never sounded more perfect.
"I didn't mean to kiss you… but if that makes people mad then they're assholes." Otabek feels his own eyes well-up at the thought.
"You're right." Yuri nods, swallowing the lump of emotion in his throat.
Otabek looks over at Viktor, the older man stands guard at the door probably waiting for Yakov and Celestino. Still, he looks on proudly at the pair of them, maybe he's even a little bit sad himself, but he doesn't intrude on their moment.
"I'm sorry." Otabek whispers.
"Don't be." Yuri sniffs sharply as he sits up, his heart does another flip as he realizes Otabek does smell like coffee. "It's not your fault."
"I… I mean it kind of is." Otabek says feebly. "I kind of ran into you on the ice and took you out."
"Well I…" Yuri bolsters his confidence before leaning forward to kiss Otabek's cheek. It's the only thing he can think to do.
Otabek doesn't know how much more blushing his face can handle, the heat alone is going to give him a full-on stroke. But Yuri's lips on his cheek make his whole body shiver because he likes it. Does he dare to hope that perhaps they really do have a romantic bond?
Before he can explore the possibility, Celestino and Yakov emerge into the locker room. Viktor walks up with them and hands Yuri a tissue before rubbing his back soothingly.
"Okay…" Celestino kneels in front of the pair. "You're both okay, right? Neither of you are hurt?"
"No, sir." Otabek says confidently.
"Good." Celestino gives them a kind smile. "Here's what's going to happen. Yuri will still have his medal ceremony and there will be interviews after. You won't have to answer any questions regarding your bond but you will have to go. After that, Otabek, you'll be staying at the hotel with Yuri for the night, Viktor has offered to stay with you if that'll make you more comfortable."
Yuri whimpers a little bit and Otabek feels a particularly strong surge of protectiveness in his veins. He wants to shield him from the media, from the world as a whole if he has to.
"Do they… Are they angry?" Yuri asks Yakov.
"Of course not, Yurachka." Yakov's gruff voice has lowered an octave.
"But-"
"If anyone has anything nasty to say to you, they'll have to face me and Yakov." Viktor assures him.
"And… after? When this goes away?" Yuri raises their joined hands.
Yakov looks particularly pained as he answers. "I've rescheduled our flights back to Russia."
Rescheduled, not canceled, the thought paralyzes Yuri.
"I know you two are already feeling some big emotions, and that's okay. We don't know what will happen when you're separated but it's important to remember that it isn't forever. The three of us will be here to help you no matter what happens, okay?" Celestino tries to assure them.
Still, the idea of being separated sends painful jolts of fear through both of them. The very thought of parting ways brings a fresh wave of tears down Yuri's face. Otabek starts trembling with something very close to anger because they can't just split them up. Not so soon after the bond has been established.
Most, if not all, soul bonded pairs at least live near one another. If not, they're adults and they can choose to stay until they figure something out. But Yuri lives in Russia and Otabek lives here in the US. They can't separate them, that just isn't fair.
"Maybe I can go with him." Otabek suggests feebly. "I can tell my parents I'm coming back to Almaty. It's not Russia but it's closer than this."
"You're from Kazakhstan?" Yuri asks, wiping his eyes.
"Yeah…" Otabek admits. "How did you-"
"We can't focus on that right now." Yakov tells them firmly. "Let's get Yuri on the podium and through his interviews first."
Yuri looks positively terrified at the idea of going back out there to face the crowds and Otabek doesn't blame him. Viktor leans down and whispers in Yuri's ear, the one furthest from Otabek.
"Don't worry, Yura, so long as he's with you nothing is impossible." Yuri can almost hear the smile in Viktor's tone.
He doesn't ask what Viktor would know about that, considering he doesn't have a soulmate. Obviously, Viktor's projecting his fantasies on him in an attempt to comfort him. He's also remiss to point out the new elephant in the room of yeah, that might be true, but what the fuck am I going to do without him?
Regardless, Yuri stands from the bench, still holding Otabek's hand firmly in his own. Otabek follows dutifully after his soulmate back towards the ice. The other two top skaters are already on the ice, waiting for their gold medalist to join them.
The crowd gives the bonded pair a standing ovation as they skate out towards the podium. Their cheers do nothing to rouse Yuri's spirit, but he smiles nonetheless when he mounts the podium. The president of the Junior Olympics gives him a warm smile as she places the medal around his neck. He takes the flowers presented to him before awkwardly passing them to Otabek so he can grab his certificate.
They lock eyes during the gesture and suddenly they're smiling, big goofy smiles that lead to bubbling laughter as Yuri takes his certificate. The utter ridiculousness of it all has begun to weigh on them. Yuri turns to Otabek and pulls their bound hands to his chest as his flag raises about their heads. It's awkward, Otabek's hand flopping lamely as his soulmate's national anthem plays, but it's more hilarious than anything else.
Yuri likes the sound of Otabek laughing, it's deep and sincere, almost like it carries a pleasant musical note. Otabek thinks that Yuri's laugh sounds something like honey, smooth and pleasantly sweet. He wants to hear that laugh every day of his life if he can manage it.
When the song ends Yuri switches the certificate into his bound hand so he can wave his free one at the audience. Otabek has almost forgotten how publicly all of this is transpiring. He has a fleeting thought about the unfairness of it all before Yuri is pulling him off the podium.
It doesn't matter that the world is watching them, and those who didn't see it all live will surely be hearing about it in the days to come.
All that matters is that Yuri isn't crying anymore, that maybe he feels just the slightest bit safer. That's what Otabek cares about.
They are ushered off to the interview portion of the day. The panel has an extra seat and a microphone waiting for him beside Yuri's. Part of him is relieved that he can be there for Yuri (like he has another fucking option) the other part of him is terrified that he could be asked questions about their situation.
True to their word, however, Yakov and Celestino trade off scolding reporters who ask about the bond. Otabek is touched by their defense, even if he knows it's just a part of their jobs. He finds himself gripping Yuri's hand as they wade through the persistent questioning.
Eventually, Yakov has decided enough is enough and dismisses the reporters. Viktor attempts to distract the media while the young boys make their escape. Celestino corrals the pair towards a back exit of the arena and into a car back to the hotel. Tabloids have gotten wind of the situation, however, and are eagerly waiting at the hotel entrance with a barrage of cameras and questions.
Celestino does his best to shield the two of them from the incessant reporters. Otabek can hear his own heartbeat as they enter the building, he's got a firm grip on his bag as they finally emerge into the lobby. Even there, however, they aren't safe. Other members of the competition swarm and gawk at the soulmates, and random guests close in to try to see what all the fuss is about.
Security comes by to escort them up to their room and Yuri is sufficiently mortified. Is this what his life is going to look like now? Everyone in the world getting up in arms anytime he makes a move? People demanding to hear about his love life every second of every day? He isn't sure he can handle that.
"Otabek." Celestino puts a hand on the small of his back. "I need to give a statement with Yakov about your situation. Do you want me to stay with you until Viktor gets here?"
Otabek struggles to answer, he feels safer with Ciao Ciao and he doesn't want to be left to fend for himself. But he also has Yuri with him and they haven't been alone yet…
"I'll be fine coach."
"Are you sure?" He asks kindly.
"Yes, sir, I'll be alright." Otabek nods a bit more confidently.
"Okay, you two stay here. Viktor will come get you for dinner. Alright?"
They both nod as Yuri pushes the door of his hotel room open. The weight of the day finally leaves their shoulders as they throw their things down.
"Finally." Yuri throws himself, and by proxy Otabek, onto the bed. "I thought it'd never end."
"Me too." Otabek sighs.
"What a day."
"Yeah." He nods, "What a day."
Yuri sits up on his elbows, giving Otabek a once over before reaching around his neck, removing his medal and placing it on Otabek.
He smiles fondly, a tinge of pink spreading across his features. "Gold looks good on you."
"It looks better on you." Otabek assures him.
"Do you… What do you think? About this whole soulmate thing?" Yuri asks.
"Oh… I don't know."
"You have to have some thoughts." Yuri presses.
"I have a lot of thoughts but none of them make sense." Otabek admits, "I'm confused."
"Are you… are you happy?"
"Yeah." Otabek finds himself nodding. "I'm happy, are you?"
"Yes." Yuri agrees, "Although, I wish it had been different. Not so public, you know?"
"Of course. That was… a lot."
Yuri's next question falls out of his face. "Do you wish it hadn't happened?"
"No." The answer is there before Otabek has time to process the question. "I mean… No, I guess that is what I mean. I wouldn't trade this for anything in the world…"
Now Otabek is blushing again.
"Me either." Yuri agrees.
"Are you tired or anything? I'm not sure where we can get food if you're hungry." Otabek offers.
"Oh god, I'll have to eat with my off hand." Yuri laughs before his face blanches, "How am I gonna pee?"
They both burst out laughing once more at that.
"I won't look." Otabek promises between cackles.
"Nobody ever talks about that in movies!" Yuri laughs so much his eyes water. "Guess a shower is out of the question too."
"Fuck." Otabek snorts.
"This is so insane." Yuri shakes his head.
"The most insane thing that's ever happened." Otabek agrees, "But I kind of like it."
Yuri nods, "Me too."
They fall into another silence, this one far more comfortable than the others. They don't really know what else to say because while they don't know each other they're soulmates for god's sake. It feels strange to ask the person you know is your soulmate stupid icebreakers. They already know for a fact they're going to love each other, one way or another.
The only question is, how much are they going to love each other? What flavor of love sits between them? What is their bond going to be?
They spend the next hour or so trying to get comfortable, both in the bed and with each other. They've slapped on a channel that's showing some movie in the midst of their fragile silence. It's an easy way to avoid the big questions, but it can't keep them at bay for very long.
"So… You skate?" Yuri asks.
"Yeah." Otabek blushes at the thought.
"Like figure skating?" Otabek nods in response, Yuri presses further. "Are you good?"
"Um… not like you."
"No one's like me." Yuri chuckles, "I asked about you."
"I'm not great, but I want to be." Yuri sees a flare of competitiveness or maybe it's determination behind Otabek's eyes as he answers.
"Can I see?" Yuri chances the question.
"See?"
"Your skating, do you have a video or something?"
"Oh…" Otabek bites the inside of his cheek. "No, I don't."
"Hm, well you should start recording yourself. It's a good way to give yourself feedback."
"I'll keep that in mind." He can't believe that Yuri's giving him pointers. In what fucking world has he landed?
"What about dancing? Do you have any videos from your ballet classes?"
"I don't take ballet."
This statement startles Yuri more than the last. "How can you skate if you don't do ballet?"
"I'm bad at it okay?" Otabek says defensively, "I'm not a dancer I learned that at Yakov's summer camp."
"Wait, Yakov's summer camp?" Yuri asks, "What are you talking about?"
Otabek suddenly flushes as he realizes the implication of his words.
"Otabek?"
"I did a summer intensive with Yakov… maybe three summers ago."
Yuri's eyes widen, "No way."
"I was in the novice class because I wasn't great."
"I was there." Yuri fills in what Otabek won't say aloud.
Otabek nods, "You were so… perfect. And I wasn't like you."
"You noticed me?" Yuri asks.
"I couldn't take my eyes off of you. You just… you were so beautiful with the way you moved and you were flexible and… I thought that you had the eyes of a solider." Otabek gives a breathy chuckle. "Maybe my soul knew you before I did."
"Maybe…" Yuri trails off thinking about that image. The eyes of a solider huh?
"I knew I wanted to skate but I also knew I'd never be like you. So I came to America to train with Celestino."
"But you don't compete." Yuri says.
"Yeah… Ciao Ciao says that I'm not built for junior competitions. He says I'm too powerful as a skater, but I think he's lying… Besides, skating is supposed to be pretty."
"Powerful is pretty." Yuri isn't certain when he took Otabek's hand but he gives it a squeeze now.
"You think so?" Otabek stares at him with wide hopeful eyes.
"I do…" Yuri gulps down a mouth full of air before he speaks next. "And I think I know what you mean… About a soldier's eyes."
"Yeah?"
"You had them today." Yuri admits with a weak laugh. "I saw you… watching the kid before me and I just… I couldn't help but wonder what he had that I didn't."
Otabek smiles softly. "I couldn't take my eyes off of you today."
"Did you feel it?" He asks, almost like he didn't mean to at all.
"Feel what?" Otabek returns the question.
"I don't know… it's just that today on the ice… I felt different somehow. Before we met." Yuri sighs, "I was almost… sad."
Otabek scoots just a fraction of an inch closer. "Yeah… yeah I felt that too. That longing feeling right?"
"Just like that." Yuri agrees.
"I think I've had that feeling for a while." Otabek confirms.
"For three years?"
"Something like that."
"And… when we crashed into each other… did it go away?" Yuri asks.
"I think so… I had a lot of emotions all at once." Otabek blushes at the memory.
"I felt… I don't know." Yuri turns away from his gaze.
"What? Tell me." Otabek coaxes gently.
"I felt whole." Yuri confesses bashfully.
Otabek thinks his heart is smiling for him as he cups Yuri's cheek.
"I know that… when all the fear and panic and awkwardness left… All I knew was that this." Otabek lifts their hands. "Is the only thing in the world that makes sense."
Yuri's breath catches in his chest as they look into each other's eyes. "Do you think… What kind of bond do you think it is?"
"I don't know." Otabek answers, too afraid to admit he hopes it's love. The romantic kind of love that makes their first kiss worthwhile.
"Right."
"Whatever it is, it's good, I know that much." Otabek assures him.
"Yeah." Yuri looks a little uneasy, maybe even disappointed, Otabek is kicking himself for not admitting he has a crush on the kid. But God, his heart is doing somersaults looking at him like that.
Yuri stands up and grabs their bags.
"What are you doing?" Otabek asks being yanked behind Yuri.
"Let's go skate." He says firmly.
"Celestino said not to leave." Otabek's voice wavers.
"Yeah well, they're taking too long and I'm antsy." Yuri says, "Plus I think I deserve to see you skate."
Otabek feels his face grow hot and he finds he's unable to speak. Yuri Plisetsky, Junior Olympic champion wants to see him skate. What the fuck?
"But I can't do jumps or anything, not while we're bound." He says meekly.
"Yeah well, if the ice dancers can do it so can we." Yuri says flippantly taking them into the elevator.
"That doesn't make sense." Otabek protests.
"Sure it does." Yuri leans in close. "Unless you're scared."
"I'm not scared."
"Good." Yuri leads him out of the hotel and towards the practice rink. The competition arena is much further away while the practice rink is only two blocks down the street from their hotel. Otabek struggles to think of an excuse to keep him from skating with Yuri but he doesn't come up with one in time. Before he knows it, Yuri is flashing his credentials at the ring staff and they're in the locker room.
Yuri laces up his own skates before doing so for Otabek.
"I can do that." Otabek claims with a blush.
"It's fine, I'm done." Yuri promises, testing the tightness of the skate before nodding at him to stand.
The ice is empty as they emerge from the locker room. The other competitors have probably gone to rest before their events the next day, so it isn't surprising that they're alone. It's just a daunting idea.
He and Yuri step out on the ice, though Yuri slaps on a playlist for them to skate to.
Otabek takes over, skating them around the rink as best as he can. Soon Yuri has him demonstrating how he enters jumps, since they can't complete them in their current state of being fucking tied together. Yuri starts trying to give him tips but it quickly devolves into them just skating and spinning around one another.
Before long, they're just messing around instead of trying to do anything in particular. It's like their bodies know what's living in their hearts and they find themselves perfectly in sync. Twisting and twirling around each other, racing around the ice like they're just two kids. Two perfectly content kids who aren't soulmates at all. Just friends trying to have fun.
It makes Yuri happy, his happiness is infectious and soon Otabek finds himself laughing. For the first time all day, they're comfortable. And it's a nice feeling.
"So, if you saw me at Yakov's camp, does that mean you've been following my career?" Yuri asks as they cut a corner.
"Is it weird if I say yes?"
"No, of course not." Yuri assures him. "I just wondered… If you'd do my piece with me?"
"Your free skate?" Otabek asks.
"Yeah… Do you know it?"
"I think so." Otabek does know it. He knows the routine by heart but he can't admit that.
"It's supposed to be… the story is a fairytale piece and well… most of the fairytales I know are love stories." Yuri shrugs nonchalantly. "Viktor says I don't perform it well."
"He's wrong." Otabek tells him, ignoring the absolute thundering of his heartbeat in his ears.
"Thanks." Yuri chuckles reaching for his phone. "I just… want to try it now…" Now that I've found you.
"Let's try it then." Otabek agrees.
Yuri puts the song in the queue so they can skate back to the center of the ice. They take up an opening position that's different than Yuri's typical solitary stance. Instead they stand mere centimeters apart, neither of them are willing to admit the racing of their heartbeats. Nor are they willing to admit they're so very tempted to kiss one another.
The music starts and pulls them into the skate of a lifetime. The molasses-y quality that Yuri has to his skating seeps into Otabek's technique. Otabek's power translates immediately into a lift that replaces the first jumping pass. There's no tension in this skate, nothing holding either of them back as they skate and swerve through the intricate technical movements. This piece is suddenly pure freedom. Pure and unadulterated love that passes seamlessly between the two of them.
It's this unspoken deeply seeded thing, an ancient otherworldly feeling that they're certain no human has ever felt before. Even if they have, there's no way to express the connection they have. No movie, book, or ballet could ever convey this. Whatever they have between them is theirs and theirs alone.
The push and pull of the music seems to come more from them than the track. Like they are guiding the melody through its dynamic rise. They are totally in control, one unit, one pair, one united soul. It's a euphoric feeling that brings a smile to Yuri's lips. A smile that then transfer's to Otabek's otherwise concentrated expression when they lock eyes.
The final pose sneaks up on them, the conclusion of the song leaves them with nothing but their synchronized bated breath. Otabek doesn't know why he's got Yuri in a low dip, it just sort of… felt right, to have his soulmate in his arms.
Yuri puts his free arm around Otabek, their bound hands crushed between them as they stand upright from the pose.
"That was beautiful!" The vigorous clapping of one Viktor Nikiforov breaks their embrace. Yuri catches a glimpse of Viktor's phone tucked up under his arm and Yuri just knows the drama king of all drama kings recorded them. At least now Otabek has some footage of his skating…
"Vitya!" Yuri shouts in frustration. "What is wrong with you!?"
Viktor beams at them as he wipes tears from his eyes. "You were supposed to stay at the hotel until I came to get you. I saw you leaving and followed you here."
"Sorry!" Otabek grimaces before helping Yuri off the ice.
"You're an excellent skater, Otabek, might I suggest you dig into your skates a bit more to get a better spring." Viktor comments, "And Yuri! You finally performed your piece. You practically lived in it! I'm so proud!"
Viktor pulls the pair into a tight embrace, "I'd say you should move into pairs skating but it would break my heart not to see you perform on an individual level!"
Yuri gives Otabek an exasperated look over Viktor's shoulder. Otabek chuckles at him before the older man can start giving them further critique.
"Now get your shoes on so we can eat. You must be starving!" Viktor pushes them towards the locker room. "I'll call a cab alright? We don't want to risk a media ambush!"
With that Viktor waltzes out of the room leaving the two of them in a stunned silence.
"Sorry about him." Yuri rolls his eyes, "He could make any situation in the world about himself."
"He seems nice."
"He's an idiot." Yuri scoffs unlacing his skates.
Before they leave the locker room Yuri tugs on his hand. "And uh…"
"What?" Otabek asks.
"Just so you know, if we don't fall in love, I'll kick your ass." Yuri says blushing furiously.
"I look forward to it." Otabek chuckles.
"Don't, I want to fall in love with you." Yuri blurts out before he can stop himself. "I mean… I'm halfway there already I just-"
Otabek gives him a bewildered look before offering a timid. "Yes."
"Yes?" Yuri asks, "What the hell does that mean?"
"Yes… I mean… All those years ago… I had a crush on you then and I think I still have it now. I mean, it never went away."
"Oh…" Yuri's eyes widen significantly.
"I think I could very easily fall in love with you." Otabek says, his mouth drying out completely. "Or at least I would if I wasn't already… In love with you. I mean…"
"I love you." Yuri says, "And I don't care how old or young I am… I do."
Otabek smiles nervously, "I love you too."
Yuri nods rapidly, the smile tugging at his lips is positively trembling. "Okay… sounds right, huh?"
"Yeah."
Yuri closes the distance between them and kisses him. This, they both decide without a word, is their first kiss. The real one. Not an accidental, heat of the moment type of kiss. One that's tender and perfect, and entirely theirs. No one else can see them, not even so much as a security camera to capture it.
"We should go." Otabek says when they finally come up for air.
"I don't want to leave." Yuri says desperately.
"Not that. Not yet." Otabek assures him, "Just to dinner, after that we can tackle the world. For now…"
"Right… You're right, we should eat." Yuri nods half-heartedly.
They exit the locker room to find an enthusiastic Viktor waving them down. He doesn't need to wave, they're the only ones there, but never let it be said that Viktor Nikiforov ever missed an opportunity to make a fool of himself
Viktor takes them to a restaurant, for better or worse, though he convinces the hostess to give them a table in a far corner for 'privacy'. He then spends all of dinner going over the video with them, offering tips and tricks for improvements. Otabek is stunned that this is the direction their conversation has taken but he lets it go fairly quickly.
How many people in the world get to have a notes session with one of the greatest skaters of all time? Otabek won't complain. He even gets the video sent to him so that he can watch it later.
That night as they curl up in bed, still full of nervous energy and the butterflies of new love, Otabek and Yuri take each other in. There is precious little they understand about the world, about their bond, and even each other. But they do know that they will always have each other, their hearts beating as one.
All that matters now is where they go from here and from where they stand anything is possible. There's nothing to fear even as they face the unknown of tomorrow.
They have each other, that's enough.
