Chapter 9: Night Under the Stars
Victor felt a little nudge on his arm and opened his eyes to look out the airplane window. Tokyo's welcoming lights stretched out for miles, creating a brightly twinkling welcome mat as the jet descended, heading for the runway at the bustling city's airport.
"We're here already?" he mused.
"Hmph," Yakov grunted, "When you weren't eating everything on board, you were sleeping like a log. I'm not surprised it seemed fast to you."
Victor chuckled, then indulged in a long, slow stretch that ended in a happy, relaxed sigh.
"I'm glad we're here. It's close to dinnertime, da?"
"You eat like a goddamned pig, Victor!" Yuri complained loudly, kicking the back of his teammate's seat, "I'm surprised you can get your fat ass off the ground for the jumps."
Victor gave Yakov a side eyed look of forced patience.
"Looks like the baby's up, Papa," he joked, "Better find his baby bottle."
He peeked over the back of his seat at the junior skater.
"You know, fat ass or not, I still jump higher than you do," he giggled.
He turned to face front as Yuri growled out another insult and kicked the back of his seat again. His eyes softened slightly and he looked out the window, watching the dark shapes below get slowly bigger as the plane descended.
"At least for a little longer," he whispered under his breath, "little shit."
Although, the way things are looking, this could be my last time skating at worlds. I feel good physically, and my training has gone well…better than ever, actually. So…why is it that it feels so heavy, this weight on my mind? This weight on my heart? I've broken new ground again this year in the sport and there's no doubt that I'm going to be remembered.
Why does that feel like a cold comfort?
He reached down to rub the small, carefully hidden rounding on his abdomen.
I'm afraid of what will happen after this competition. I know I will have to tell Yakov about the baby, and I don't know what will happen then. Will we be able to still keep my being an omega a secret? How will we explain the baby? Should I make up some kind of story about adoption or something? But if I do that, there's always the chance of people finding out that the story is not true. I don't want anyone to know.
But…what if Yuuri hears about the baby…and figures out the baby is his?
He knows now that I'm an omega, and he bit me, so if the baby comes out of my body now, it has to be his. No one else can impregnate a bitten and claimed omega. I suppose, though, that since he was disgusted with me being an omega, he might not want to claim his child. But if he does want the baby…
Victor swallowed hard and shivered.
To oppose him would bring on a very loud public battle that would certainly expose what I am and probably ruin my career. I don't want that!
He felt the bump and rumble of the jet touching down and breathed slowly to calm his racing heart and rampant thoughts.
Stop it.
One thing at a time.
One day, one hour, one minute, one second…be calm.
He forced a relaxed smile as the plane came to a stop and the passengers unfastened their seatbelts and rose to remove their belongings from the overhead compartments. Victor started to stand, then felt a painful throb in his abdomen and bent forward, holding his belly and breathing through the jarring sensation.
"What is it, Vitya?" Yakov asked, noting his student's paler than usual face, "Are you all right?"
"F-fine," Victor lied, managing a wavering smile as he straightened.
"You don't look fine," Yuri said sullenly, "You look like shit."
"I just got up too quickly after sitting for a long time," Victor reasoned.
Yes, that must be it.
Victor followed Yakov silently, ignoring Yuri's incessant ramblings as the three left the plane and went to the baggage claim to collect their suitcases. As they approached the exit leading to where a car waited for them, Victor donned a more suitable and charming smile, and he slipped his sunglasses out of his pocket. He put them on as they reached the door and moved closer to Yakov's side for the walk between the crowds of skating fans who lined the sides of the walkway. Victor waited for the perfect moment, then he swept his glasses off and gave his swooning fans a roguish wink, earning a chorus of squeals and shuddering sighs as he passed them.
"Showoff," Yuri huffed, rolling his eyes.
They climbed into the waiting vehicle, which carried them a short distance, then deposited them in front of the hotel where they would be staying during the competition. Yakov led the two skaters to the front desk to check in.
"Can we go to dinner soon, Yakov?" Victor asked, rubbing his rumbling stomach, "I'm so hungry!"
"Oh my god, do you ever stop eating?" Yuri scoffed.
Victor gave him a little smirk.
"Better be sure that wherever we go they have crayons and coloring books for the little boy," he teased.
"Shut up!" Yuri steamed.
"Both of you be quiet!" Yakov snapped at the two.
He turned his back and began to talk to the hotel desk clerk. Yuri shot the elder Russian skater a scathing look and ignored him as their coach checked them in, then handed them their keys.
"We'll go clean up, then we can meet to go to dinner," he said gruffly, "Georgi and Mila are already here and will be joining us."
"Great!" Victor said enthusiastically, "Let's hurry up and go."
His stomach continued to complain until the group had met and found their way to a crowded restaurant.
"Looks like Vitya's hungry tonight," Mila giggled, watching Victor dig into his meal.
"I think he ordered one of everything on the menu," Georgi snorted, "I guess you're not worried too much about the competition…"
"Heh," Victor chuckled, "I thought I'd give myself a little handicap, so it wouldn't be too bad for them."
He giggled and gave Georgi a little teasing wink.
"Oh, sorry, I forgot you were competing," he snickered.
"Very funny," Georgi said, good naturedly, "Are you going to drink with me tonight? This good boy routine you've got going is amusing to a point, but I want to get drunk."
"It's better for you not to drink before a competition," Yakov said shortly, giving Victor a reprieve from having to answer.
"You usually drink like a fish," Yuri added, frowning, "Is your stomach still bothering you from earlier or are you just leaving room to pile in more food?"
"Did they forget to give you those crayons and a coloring book?" Victor asked, tilting his head to the side, "I can call our server…"
"Eat shit!"
"Vitya! Yuri! Shut it!" Yakov snarled, "Eat your food so we can go back to the hotel. It's getting late, and the restaurants don't stay open as long here."
He motioned to the server.
"Is there something you need, sir?" the young woman asked.
"Asahi Dry," Yakov sighed, "No wait, bring me two…"
XXXXXXXXXX
Yuuri sighed and picked at the meal in front of him as the jumbo jet carried him back towards the home he hadn't seen in five years. He flinched inwardly at the thought of what everyone in Hasetsu must think of him for losing, not only at the Grand Prix Final, but crashing so hard at nationals that he hadn't even qualified for the Four Continents or for worlds.
I didn't have to think about all of this while I was finishing up my degree at the university in Detroit, so I was able to put it off. But I have plenty of time to do that now. The truth is, I don't think I could sink any lower if I tried.
Damn…what do I do?
He tried looking out the window of the plane, but found only drifting gray clouds.
How do I overcome this? Or do I overcome it? Should I just quit now? Should I try finding a new coach? But who could believe in me after I've done so poorly?
He noticed a splash of red color on the viewing screen in front of him and blinked, turning his attention to the monitor.
"Victor?" he whispered, looking at the clip of the handsome Russian and scrabbling with his hands to get the earbuds he had been given, into his ears.
"…arriving for the World Figure Skating Championships in Tokyo, was the Russian skating team, including none other than Victor Nikiforov!"
Yuuri made a little sound of distress, staring helplessly as Victor seemed to smile right at him, then gave a knee weakening wink that set his heart fluttering.
"Nikiforov will be going for his fifth consecutive win at the world championships. Can he do it? Be sure to watch."
Because of the length of this flight, I won't be home in time to see it, but I'm sure that Victor will win. I'll have to watch the replay after I get to Hasetsu. I should be able to watch the free skate.
He sighed and leaned back, closing his eyes and trying to think about anything but skating. Focusing on his breathing, he was able to clear his mind enough to drop off as the jet continued on its way across the ocean. As he slept, Victor appeared in his dreams, a lovely, ethereal specter, dancing so beautifully and so perfectly that Yuuri's breath seemed to freeze in his chest. Completely enchanted, he seemed to float somewhere in the air above the Tokyo arena where Victor worked his unrelenting magic on the people there.
XXXXXXXXXX
Dressed in a stunning costume of deep navy, touched all over with little, glinting silver adornments, Victor carefully warmed up his body and stretched his muscles in preparation for the performance of his short program. Still in his street shoes in the warm up area, he went through the steps as Yakov answered questions for a Japanese news crew, while he watched his top skater out of the corner of his eye. Victor finished his warm up and turned his body slightly away, hiding how one hand slid down and he looked down at his belly, smiling.
I would feel lonely and really sad, being here and performing…coping with how my motivation has been such a problem lately, but I can't be really sad with you here, little one. I can't really feel lonely. I have you, my little secret from all of the world. Tonight, I will dance for you. And tomorrow. It will be the last time we perform with you still inside me. But…someday, little one, someday, you and I will dance together on the ice.
He paused, still looking down at his belly, his hazy blue-green eyes blinking slowly.
Yuuri, maybe you couldn't accept me being an omega, but even if that is true, you still gave me the most beautiful gift ever. You might not be able to see me as your idol, like you once did, but our child will. Maybe there will be times when we will disagree and our child will rebel, but we will make a beautiful family, all our own, and I know that we'll be happy.
Maybe…someday, Yuuri, you can forgive me for lying to hide this side of me that no one wants. Maybe you'll be able to look past what I am and accept me…if only for the sake of this little one. As much as I disgust you, I hope that if you ever learn about our baby, that you don't think of him or her that way.
Victor's smile warmed beautifully as he felt a tiny movement inside that felt like a sweet, bubbling tickle.
"Oh, hello," he whispered, "I felt that."
"Vitya?"
The Russian champion's breath caught and he flushed slightly as he turned back to face his coach.
"Sorry, Yakov, what did you say?" he asked, tilting his head, "I missed that."
"I asked if you were planning to stand there, daydreaming, or if you were going to compete tonight. You're up next. Come on, now."
"Right," Victor said, shooting another little secret smile at his belly.
He moved into position at the side of the rink entrance as the previous skater bowed to the audience and little children skated out to pick up the stuffed animals and flowers thrown out onto the ice.
Here we are, little one…your first worlds competition. Pay close attention to Daddy. I am going to show you why the ice is such a wonderful place. This is our playground…here in the chill air, where the ground under our feet is slippery, but rather than falling, we learn to glide. Then…we learn to fly!
"Our next skater," said one announcer, "is Victor Nikiforov of Russia. Nikiforov is heavily favorited here to make this his fifth consecutive world championship win. His program, tonight, as his costume suggests, is themed, Night Under the Stars. Nikiforov has said that this is a prelude to his enchanting free skate, Stay Close to Me."
"You can see already, as he takes the ice," said a second announcer, "this crowd is also expecting Victor to give a masterful performance."
"He's been skating very consistently all year. I wonder how things will go tonight."
Victor took up his opening position, closing his eyes as he waited for the music to start.
I feel you with me, little one. This place, this time with you is precious, and even when the music ends and it is over, I will remember. When you are born and you are here with me, I will tell you the story a million times, until you roll your eyes at me for saying the words and until you repeat it back to me so that I know that you have memorized every word. And someday, when I'm gone and you're missing me, you can think back to this day and know that it was something well worth remembering and passing on…this day…our worlds together!
He barely realized when his body began to move.
My body feels so light, almost weightless!
He could feel that electricity in the air around him that told him that he had the crowd, and he could feel their bewitched eyes following his every move.
I feel you there inside me, and it make all of the heaviness go away. I really do feel the magic of this night under the stars with you.
He didn't have to hear the commentators to know what they were saying to the people watching the performance from home.
"You know, Morooka, I've been watching him develop this short program all season. He seemed to be struggling, not with the technical elements, but to capture and relay the intense emotion that comes through in the music, but that is not a problem at all tonight!"
"I have to agree. There is something very different in this program. I don't know if it's in his expressions, if he changed some of the steps, or if he is just very in tune with the music tonight, but he is delivering a performance that is likely to bring him close, if not to another short program record. Look at the height on that quad flip!"
"It's like seeing a much younger Victor Nikiorov. It's truly amazing!"
"It is," Morooka agreed, "but then, we all know that the one thing we can count on with this skater is that he will always find new ways to surprise and captivate. This is the quintessential Nikiforov!"
Out on the ice, Victor threw his body into the air, spinning, then dropping into a perfect landing before flying into a breathtaking spin combination.
This is our own little bit of heaven, little one, da? Being here with you makes me so very happy! For maybe the first time in my life, I am glad to be an omega, because it means that I get to hold you inside my body and share with you my love for the ice. For just this little bit of time, I can forget everything else, I can stop hating what I am, and I can be truly grateful.
I am grateful.
I don't want it to end.
Did the music stop?
It got quiet.
He found himself quite suddenly, caught in the breathless moment between the last notes of music and the beginning of the audience's reaction. Then shouts and squeals and loud clapping filled the air, turning into a delighted roar as Victor bowed in each direction, waving and smiling at the happy crowd. He started towards the kiss and cry, then almost tripped over his own feet as he spotted Yakov Feltsman waiting for him and wiping away actual tears.
"Yakov?" he mused, "did something bad happen?"
He made a little yelp of surprise as the old man's arms wrapped around him, shaking as they hugged him tightly.
"Vitya! That was…it was perfect!"
The two sat down in the kiss and cry, and Victor focused his attention on the replay as they waited for his score.
I see it.
I see you there, inspiring my every move.
It will be a new high score, and I'll always say that you are the reason I flew so high. I feel you so close to me now, little one. And every day from now on, you'll get closer.
I just can't wait…for the moment I get to look into your eyes for the first time!
Victor heard the thunderous roar as his score flashed onto the display and he stood, waving and blowing kisses.
Thank you, little one.
Thank you for today.