CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED THRITY SEVEN
Minako watched for a little while from the open doorway as the two Rozovskys went down the block. She gave a worried look, rubbing her arms where she braced against the Canadian winter cold, but then stepped back and closed the doors...only to be greeted again by the weird smell of apple-cinnamon, trying and failing, to hide the odor of old trash.
Brown eyes glanced around the main room and kitchen, looking briefly at the two nervous daughters that were, in turn, watching her back and waiting.
"...Do you guys have studying to do for your last tests?" The ballerina asked.
"...Not really." Nikki answered, looking away for a moment, "Dad has had a tutor working with us since mid Fall to get us ready."
"He has?" She blinked at them curiously.
Viktoria nodded in agreement, "It's just down the block a bit. We go over there Mondays and Wednesdays, so..."
"Are you going to be our new mom soon?" Nikki followed up.
Minako nearly choked on herself, having to turn and grab a nearby counter to stop from falling as her legs felt weak under her. She couldn't hear the two girls fussing at one another over the semantics, but when she finally got her wind back again, she put one hand over her chest and looked over at the pair, "...I...I think you're a bit too old to be thinking about it like that...don't you think?" She asked nervously.
"Well, you're going to marry our dad, aren't you?"
"NikkiIsweartoGOD..." Viktoria blanched again.
The ballerina pushed to standing upright, still feeling her heart racing even as the two silver daughters bickered again. She held her hands up defensively, "Calm down...you guys don't have to argue with each other like that..."
Grey-green eyes just turned to gawk at her.
"Look..." Minako drew in a breath to try and steady herself, "Whatever happens, happens... Your dad and I haven't even been officially dating until this last weekend. I've never had kids of my own, so I'm not even sure how good a 'mom' I could ever really call myself, even if I tried...but I won't stop you if that's how you want to think of me. I won't ask you to do it, though. I can be whatever you want or need me to be. A mom, a big sister, a friend, 'that old hag that dates your dad,' it doesn't matter. I'm adjusting to all this just like you guys are."
"...So does that mean you're not going to marry him?"
The ballerina smacked her forehead.
.
"So do you want to go first or should I?"
It was surreal for the elder silver Russian to be walking those streets again; it felt like nothing had changed, save the season. All the houses were the same, the mountains, the street-corners where trees grew, the paths that wound their way into the woods behind everything. Nothing had changed at all.
Sergio held in tightly to himself, scowling as he looked down at the half-cleared sidewalk, "I don't care."
Mikhail drew in a breath and pulled his scarf up a little higher over his chin, "Alright...me then." He shrugged, putting that hand back into his pockets, "I don't know when or why you got such a chip on your shoulder, or if I'm the only person you take it out on. I hope you don't give it all to your sisters when I'm not here to be your punching bag. But...it needs to stop. I put Yura into therapy last year as part of the agreement for me to be his skating sponsor, so I'm not opposed to doing the same with you." He explained, turning his sights to see if the teen had any reaction, though all he saw was where those sage eyes narrowed a little, so he looked ahead again, "To be honest, ever since the divorce, you've gotten more and more distant. Maybe it's just the natural way of things for boys to want to assert themselves, and get angry when they're surrounded by ladies on all sides who don't really think the same way...it's hard to know how things might've been different if I hadn't been made to go. But it's not like I disappeared. You remember that one time when your mother called the Mounties because I came to pick you guys up, and she'd forgotten it was my weekend to have you?"
"...Yeah."
"Then there was that one summer when she tried to get the judge to block my visitation outright, and almost won, because she claimed I was a Satan-worshiping atheist who was going to groom you guys to be sacrifices to the Dark Father?" He went on, saying the last bit rather sarcastically and making gestures to mock the absurdity of it, "I swear...she found religion, but she lost her mind... Atheists don't even believe in Satan...that defeats the whole point!" He threw his hands up in the air in frustration.
"You don't have to take shots at her. She's dead."
"...Sorry." Mikhail slouched a bit where he walked, but shook his head and moved on normally again after that, "...The point is, if you're being all angry just at me because I wasn't around, the-"
"I'm not mad at you for being gone." Sergio interrupted stiffly, "I'm mad at mom for sending you away. I'm mad at her for a lot of things...especially that she basically let herself die. I was only 10 when this whole shit-show between you guys got started, but even back then, I was convinced that I could make her see sense one day. I tried to pick up the torch you were made to leave behind...but she never really took me that seriously. To her...no matter how old I got, I was always 10 to her. I couldn't do the things that you could. So I...could never live up to that standard..."
"Sergio..." The elder reached over to touch the teen's shoulder, but he pulled away immediately, keeping his eyes down the whole time. Mikhail sighed a little, "I know you hate to hear it, but maybe if you hear it with someone else's voice rather than in your own head, it'll make more sense. You were 10. The things I did for her, for the family, weren't things that a 10 year old could do. She didn't want that kind of help anymore anyway. Once she made up her mind about things, she couldn't be talked down from them. You just got a front-row seat to the end."
"Maybe you shouldn't have enabled her so much."
The Russian coughed, "Enabled her?" He looked on incredulously, "How did I enable her?"
"Maybe that's the wrong word..." The teen looked down even further, practically watching the toes of his boots creep in and out of his line of sight, "Showed no authority?" He offered instead.
Mikhail gawked, "Explain."
"...You could've put your foot down a thousand times over the stupid shit she was starting to believe after going to that Lymphoma support group. But you just let her keep going. She even started believing in crystal healing! She put glass rocks on her head and thought it was sucking the 'evil' out! She did that instead of going to her follow-ups with Dr. Caplan like I told her to! I bet if she'd gone, she would've known she was having a recurrence before it got bad...!"
"The way you played everything up, it was sounding like you were all aboard for that hokey mystic stuff yourself." The elder countered.
"NO!" Sergio barked, "I was trying to tell you about it so you'd see how crazy it sounded, so maybe you could talk some sense into her! But you kept brushing it off with 'that's nice' or 'well I'm sure that'll go well' like you thought it'd make ME feel better or something!"
"She wouldn't listen to me anyway. What was the point? It would just be more fights in front of you and the girls, and I didn't want that to be the only thing you guys thought about when I was around."
"Yeah, so instead of standing up to her and protecting us from the crazy bullshit she was bringing home, you just let her get away with it."
"Why didn't you ever tell me how bad it was getting? Maybe I could've filed suit to get custody or something."
"I TRIED! YOU WEREN'T LISTENING TO ME!"
They both paused, gaping at one another.
Sergio grit his teeth, "You just went off and buried yourself in your work! And when that got boring, you found yourself a brand new family that didn't have any drama! You replaced us with Viktor and Minako and that Plisetsky kid!"
The elder found himself somewhat slack-jawed at that remark, "...That's cruel to say. I didn't replace any of you guys. ...And besides that, they have plenty of drama of their own."
"What, cuz Viktor can't take a punch!? You ditched us to protect his pansy ass!?"
Mikhail glowered, drawing in a deep breath before speaking again, "You lashed out at Minako earlier because you thought she was judging you, and you got upset because she did so without knowing you or what you've been through. But now you're lashing out at a guy you've exchanged 2 words with, and are judging his entire life because of a story I told you. Do you not see the irony in that?"
Sergio narrowed his eyes, but had no come-back.
"Viktor's 10 years older than you are, and I was with him every day of his life for his first 5 years of existence. Leaving him behind in Russia is one of my biggest regrets. You could almost say I replaced him with you." The elder said flatly, feeling his pulse hardening but trying not to let it get the better of him, "So you'll have to forgive me a tiny little bit for being exited that I finally have him back in my life again after all this time. I almost considered giving you his name when you were born, but your mother insisted against it. Maybe it's for the best that she did. You're nothing like Viktor."
"...So you do like him better than the rest of us."
"He isn't perfect. He's vain, and can be petty, jealous, a bit vindictive, and at the worst of times, cruel, even to those closest to him. But that's not even what I meant by what I said. The kind of man Viktor became isn't even the kind of man I expected him to become. It's a flaw in my character more than his...and I'm only human. I can't make anyone be who they aren't meant to be...I can't turn you into him, just like how I can't make him my actual kid. And to be honest...aside from trying to figure out why you're so mad all the time, so you can stop and go back to being the fun-loving kid I remember...I like the way the both of you turned out. You're both better than me, and that's all I could ever hope for." Mikhail explained tersely, "But now, we're all at a crossroads. I've been trying to rebuild my life after your mother excised me from it...and even before all this stuff with your mother happened, I had started humoring thoughts of moving to Japan to be with Minako. It's nice out there, and she's nice. As it happens, Viktor is out there now, too, which is a huge deal for me. I'm getting the chance to rebuild the first family I lost. The trouble is figuring out what to do with my second family...I'd really like to put everything together."
"...I'm not going."
"And I'm trying to take that into consideration." The Russian grumbled, turning his head to look down the street, "What would you want to do, other than not moving to Japan? Try to be reasonable."
Sergio side-eyed the man, a bit surprised, but shook his head, "What I want...?"
"Yeah. Work with me. I'm not as much of a hard-ass as you've convinced yourself I am. I've gotten a few more wrinkles, but I'm still the same guy I was when you were younger. Remember...?" Mikhail appealed to the teen, "You're my first and oldest. I had the most time with you before I was sent away. ...I kind of wish you'd give me more credit than you do. We used to be best buddies. We did everything together. I'm here for you."
Sage-green eyes moved down to the icy pavement again. The teen could hardly believe the offer, or the sentiment that came with it. He looked back up again though...and began to explain.
.
Yurio's eyes were like those of a dead man's, staring straight ahead at nothing, only half open, and showing dark circles underneath. His phone was in front of him on the bed, black from lack of use, but when the over-tired teen clicked his finger on the Home button, it flashed the Lock screen to show 6:58am.
...Couldn't sleep all night... Now it's practically dawn...
He rolled onto his back, and then onto his other side, the arm of the plush tiger still over him. He gave a hateful stare to the interior of the room for a moment, but then shot his eyes open in surprise when he heard a buzz behind him. Flipping back over again, he saw a text message flash on the screen before it went dark again, and he quickly grabbed at it.
Old Man:
[Hey, hope this doesn't wake you up. Call me when you can.]
The blonde's heart was up in his throat already, his eyes scanning the message repeatedly like he wasn't sure his sleep-deprived mind could comprehend the words. Without even thinking, he clicked the small icon at the top right of the window and opened the messenger's contact information, hitting the Call button quickly thereafter. It rang twice before he heard the click.
"Ah heck, sorry Yura, I didn't mean t-"
"Viktor won't be my coach. It's fucking everything up!"
"...Wow, okay." Mikhail was surprised, having to pause a moment where he stood outside his kids' house. He turned to face his oldest, "Sergio, go on and head inside. Figure out with the girls what you guys want to eat. I'll be right behind you."
Yurio could hear the confirmation in the background, but only barely.
"What happened?" The elder Russian went on, turning his back to the door.
"I told Viktor that you planned on moving to Hasetsu, and that you'd offered a spot to me, too, but when he asked what I was going to do about the fact that Yakov isn't moving with me, it was fucking clear that he wasn't going to volunteer to replace him." The Russian Punk answered, setting the phone to speaker again and dropping it to the sheet just in front of his crossed arms.
"...Did you actually ask him to be your coach though? Maybe he just didn't want to assume anything."
"I overheard him and the pig talking after." He answered grudgingly, "They both think I should just stay in St. Petersburg and forget everything."
"...The pig?" Mikhail echoed, feeling a twinge for it, "Did you guys get into a fight over this...?"
"I didn't do shit. I was just minding my own business."
"Yura..." The older figure sighed, stepping back down the front walkway, "If I call one of them, what story will they tell me?"
"Who the Hell knows anymore!? I thought I knew them but apparently I don't! They're both selfish pieces of shit!"
Mikhail set his free hand against his hip, "...What a situation. When did all this happen?"
"Last night." Yurio growled, "Now there isn't even any point in the rest because everyone out here hates me."
"Let things settle down a bit. Even if Viktor doesn't coach you, it's not the end of the line."
"How can you possibly say that!?" The teen barked, pushing up onto his hands to yell down at the phone under him, "If Viktor doesn't coach me then I have no future in figure skating! He's the only one in Hasetsu with coaching experience!"
"Oh pfft." The elder huffed, "Hold the line a minute, okay?"
"...Okay?" Yurio gawked at the phone, hearing it click to put him on Hold. He sat back on his knees and leaned against the plush tiger while he waited, confused and hating it.
Mikhail finally went inside, shivering quickly as he adjusted to the heat of the indoors; cheeks, nose, and ears cherry-red from the cold winter air. The first thing he noticed was that the smell of the house was different...it smelled normal again. The apple-cinnamon candle had no longer been needed. The subtle, lingering aroma of lemon cleaners and bleach replaced it. Debris was gone, things were dusted, trash had been taken out, the sink had no dishes in it...and Minako was splayed out on the couch with a weak arm raised to wave...and Nikki had fallen asleep leaning against her.
"...Hey hun..."
"...Is this the same house...?" He asked anxiously.
"...You could say we got bored." The ballerina mused, "I didn't go into the kids' rooms, but the rest is in good shape again."
Mikhail made a face, "...'The kids' rooms.'" He repeated, "You say that like you've claimed them already."
"...We...kind of bonded over cleaning this place. That a problem?" She whisper-laughed, tired from the whole thing.
The Russian shook his head quickly, "No way! But..." He started making his way forward, kicking his shoes off but not worrying so much about setting them tidily against the wall. He went down on one knee before the woman and set his elbows on her slightly-parted knees, "...Dearest, beloved, sweetie, my sun, my life..."
"Uh oh..." Viktoria mused, lifting up her head from where she'd been half-snoozing on the other end of the couch. She glanced over at the ballerina, "Careful. He wants something from you."
"Yes he does." She said knowingly, giving a skeptical look, "...What is it...?"
"How'd you like to break into ballet on ice?"
"...Eh?" She gaped at him.
"Figure skating! ...It's kind of the same...right? Ballet but with knife-boots instead of toe-slippers?"
"...I guess?"
"How would you like to take on a competitive student? I bet your classes would fill right up if they saw your skills on television alongside the likes of Viktor and Yuri!" He explained vaguely, "Imagine sitting in the same kiss and cry as them, instead of the audience!"
"...Whaaaaat are you suggesting...?" She was getting nervous then.
"...Well, I have this kid, right? He's been getting choreographed by a former Prima for a while, but he's in the market for a new coach in Hasetsu. Turns out, Viktor isn't taking new students...so..."
"...Are you talking about Yura...?"
Green eyes got rather big at the mention, "Would you consider it?"
"Me?" She was aghast, "Coaching Yuri Plisetsky?"
"I heard that you got Viktor's hubby back into fighting form for last year's competition. You can do this! I believe in you!"
The ballerina gave Mikhail the same face just then as she gave to that self-same 'hubby' the night he'd shown up at her door, asking to be taught how to 'move in feminine ways.' All she lacked were her glasses, a beer, and midnight, "...Uh...well..." She stammered, "I...I guess I could try my hand at it... What about his choreography? I've never done that before...not from scratch anyway..."
"Let me take care of that. I have a card up my sleeve." The Russian gave a pleased smile, and rose back up to his feet, leaning far over to kiss the woman fondly, "I love you. Please marry me."
She gaped at him again, but was still too stunned from the whole previous situation to mutter a reply. Her face went red though, and the two girls next to her were laughing quietly behind their hands. Sergio just raised an eyebrow at the spectacle.
Mikhail turned back to his phone and unclicked it from Hold, "Hey, still there?"
"...Da."
"I have a coach for you. She's a world-renowned professional dancer and an excellent teacher, so you had better treat her nice and do as she says."
"You...what? How? Who? You were gone for like 2 minu-...oh shit, wait..."
"Better get ready to work harder than you've ever worked in your life, Yura!" Minako called, finally composing herself again, "What Lilia put you through will pale in comparison to what I'm going to do!"
"Holyshitthatreallyjusthappened." The blonde sank against the bed, trying to make himself flat, "I...I can't even..."
"Do you accept?" Mikhail asked, "The ball's in your court now, kiddo."
"...What about Viktor and Yuri? I mean, they're skating at the Ice Castle, too...I can't just..."
"They don't skate all day. We'll just block time where you go and it's separate from them, like all the other skating classes being held there now. Plus, I doubt you guys will be mad at each other forever." The elder went on, "So?"
"...They're mad at each other?" Minako repeated to herself, "What the heck...? We were only gone for like 2 days...!"
Mikhail listened and waited, feeling a bit nervous as the silence went on longer than he'd thought. But, then he got his answer, and he smiled, "Great. I'll let everyone know. Go back to sleep if you can...you sound like you were up all night. Poka~!" He pulled the phone down from his ear and closed out the call, then turned to his daughters, "Looks like you guys have another brother."