Disclaimer: I do not own YOI, just this fanfic.
This week is back to school for me and luckily, my stomach's settled down. But my heart hasn't. This is my last year of high school. Which means marks really matter. Which means university applications. Which means having a CLEAR SIGHT OF WHO I WANT TO FUCKING BE IN THE FUTURE!
AHHHH! My head's exploding from all this pressure!
Oh and it also means slower updates on this fanfic! So right before school begins, I'll post this chapter and see how my schedule will fare. I think the first few weeks won't be so bad. I'll update as regularly as possible, but around the middle of the semester, that's when things will get hectic. And I'll put an author's note to tell you guys I'll be going on hiatus.
I will not go on hiatus without informing you guys first. Promise!
Anyways, please FAV, FOLLOW, and REVIEW! :D
Ch. 22: Things are finally starting to look up...
Mar. 27, 2014. Saitama, Japan. Victor's hotel room.
The sound of a phone vibrating is what woke Victor up from a beautiful sleep. He groggily tries to move his body but realizes he's kind of stuck. Next to him, lies a sleeping Liv, clutching his left arm.
He regains more consciousness and gently pulls his arm out of her grip, which wasn't too hard luckily. In response, she rolls over, taking some of the comforter with her. Reaching out to the top of the nightstand, Victor grabs his phone which has stopped vibrating by now, and checks to see who was calling.
Mom - One missed call.
Sighing, Victor checks the rest of his notifications from his texts, social media accounts, and emails. He lies down on the bed, swiping across the screen of his phone above him. He rarely did this as he knows it isn't good for his eyes, but he's just too lazy to adjust the pillows to allow him to sit against the headboard.
Liv stirs around some more, her bare back turned to him as she slowly inches away from the center of the bed and towards the edge of it. Victor keeps a careful eye on her to make sure she's not going to tumble over the side.
This was the most she's moved around while sleeping. All night, she was a pretty peaceful sleeper, and she was very warm too. And smelled like jasmines…
Another notification appears from Instagram and Victor quickly checks to see who commented on his photo of him and his rinkmates attempting to create a human pyramid. Once again, it was one of his fan-followers, saying 'wow, u guys make ANYTHING look epic!'
"Good morning," Liv suddenly says as she steps out of the comforter and sits on the edge of the bed, picking up her bathrobe from the floor in front of her and putting it on before turning around to face Victor.
"Morning, sweetheart," he answers in a half-joking half-serious tone.
Liv throws him his robe in response. "That vibration from your phone, was it Yakov?"
"My mom," Victor corrects as he wraps the bathrobe around him and lies back down. "Yakov didn't bother to call or text me at all, surprisingly. Good for him, he deserves a break from constantly worrying about me and my rinkmates. A nice long overdue sleep to ease the stress. Let's hope he doesn't wake himself up too early!"
Liv moves closer to Victor and gently pokes him on his forehead. "And this one time he decided not to bother you, you fooled around hardcore."
"What do you mean I fooled around hardcore? You were the one who flew here with your own money and missing several days of your classes! Be honest, you were just following your hormones," Victor returns the head-poke to her.
"You too. I could tell that much from last night that you've been wanting to know what was hidden underneath all those layers of fabric I wear everyday," Liv smirks. "And so did I."
Victor sighs in relaxation as he covers his eyes with the back of one hand, relieving himself of all stress yet to come. "What time is it?"
"Six fifty-eight, the sun's barely up. When are you planning to get out?"
"Whenever you leave the bed," Victor mumbles. "As long as you're here, this is my haven."
"And if I never leave?"
"I'll make sure no one ever comes in then."
Liv places her hands and chin on top of Victor's chest, feeling the gentle rising and falling of each breath. "So, tell me, Victor. What number am I? I can't possibly be your first."
"Nope, you're number one," Victor states blankly, causing Liv's eyes to become as wide as pancakes. "Unless you count all those past times when I almost went all the way with my significant other. It was always super close to the climax, but right before it…they'd just make up some excuse or suddenly decides to change their mind. So I never exactly…completed it."
"No way, Victor…" Liv laughs. "You were a pure man until last night! I still can't get this around my head!"
Victor chuckles at the sensation of laughter against his chest. "What about you, Liv? What number am I?"
"What do you think?"
"Well, judging from recent experience, you're definitely no virgin. Who was number 1?" Victor asks knowingly.
Liv smiles and thinks. "Hmmm, he was my high school beau. We spent a lot of time together, we had fun. He'd come to my competitions whenever possible and would always bring me a new Ludovico Einaudi song, he knows what I like. He was on the verge of heartbreak when I told him I would be moving to Russia with my coach to train after high school graduation. So I decided to give him a night to never forget me by. And years later, here I am."
"Here you are." Victor sits up from his position as Liv lifts herself up too. "In the bed of another guy. Hmm. I guess you're not as innocent as I once thought you were."
"It's fun playing the innocent card, nobody suspects you of anything until you become super close with them. And at least I didn't have 16 breakups ever since my middle school years!"
"Nope, but bedded two different guys which is more serious than 16 breakups," Victor counters as he pulls Liv in for a heated kiss.
She wraps her arms around him and he holds her by the waist, straddling her on his lap, covered by the comforter. Liv took a step back to allow the both of them to breathe again and her countering Victor's previous remark.
"I doubt that."
The next second, she continues the kiss, gradually growing in passion and intensity. They felt time slip away along with all the care in the world, which made Victor disappointed when Liv suddenly pulled back and released herself from him.
She gets up from the bed and stretches. "Better stop before things get out of control again."
"Sigh. See, if I wasn't here for a competition, oh, I wouldn't let you an inch away from the bed."
"Hahaha. But this is one, and I need to get some proper clothes back on before anybody else comes knocking at the door."
Victor half-buries himself beneath the sheets, trying to fill in the warm void Liv left behind with him. It didn't too long for Liv to get her attire from last night back on, albeit the winter jacket held on her arm.
She walks past the bed and chuckles. "Now you know the feeling of yearning. Have fun restraining those hormones all day today!"
Victor springs back up from the covers. "Hey, where you going?"
"The local pharmacy, where else? Hopefully, they'll have some Plan-B pills there. Best take them 24 hours after doing it to increase the chances of it working! I mean, we don't want a sudden surprise three weeks later!"
Liv opens the door to leave the room, and nearly whacks Yakov right in the nose with it! He takes a few steps back, his face pale from almost getting his nose removed by a mere door! Liv instantly apologizes, but Yakov was more focused on the fact that Liv is here in Victor's room.
And very early in the morning too…Yakov peeks behind Liv and sees Victor stretching and yawning on the side of the bed, still in his bathrobe. Yakov quickly solves what had happened last night here.
"VICTOR!"
Victor makes a beeline for the bathroom as Yakov runs after him with a rolled up newspaper he grabbed from the top of the dresser. Liv attempts to walk back in.
"Umm, should I stay?"
"What? Oh no! It's fine!" Victor assures with a panicking voice. "I got this, you go to the pharmacy!"
"VICTOR, YOU…YOU…WHATEVER FOOLS LIKE YOU SHOULD BE CALLED!"
That got Victor to begin laughing like a madman, which of course, made Yakov rage even more. Liv couldn't bring herself to leave just yet, it felt wrong leaving Victor with all the blame when she shared half of it.
"Yakov! Come on, if he's a fool, then I'd be an even bigger one. Give him some slack, we all need to escape reality once in awhile," Liv says loudly towards the bathroom.
"No way! You're taking his side now?" Yakov shouts in exasperation.
Victor shoots out from the bathroom door and runs towards the walk-in-closet on the other side of the room, passing Liv standing by the entrance on the way.
"Sorry, hon, for all this violence, but I promise to make it up after lunch!"
Yakov follows close behind, stopping before the closed closet door and trying to get it opened as Victor holds the handle down from the inside.
Seeing that there's nothing she could do to break the situation, Liv slowly backs out the front door.
"Alright…I'll come back for you! Just hold on!" She blows a kiss before closing the door behind her.
Present time. St. Petersburg Ice Rink.
It is now late in the afternoon and the beginning of evening will start very soon. Practice at the rink is now over. Victor runs out of the change room with his bag flying behind him. Yuri is waiting out in the front lobby.
Victor tackles him from behind, which Yuri by now is sort of used to. He sighs and accepts the hug. Victor lets go and takes him by the arm.
"Let's go out somewhere tonight," he proposes.
"Fine by me. See? Practice wasn't so bad! You're done now!" Yuri gestures to him happily leaving the rink.
Victor takes a long glance at the rink behind him before giving a shrug and continues to lead them towards his car.
The first they did is drive home and put away the skating bag. And of course, refill Makkachin's food and water bowl. Then they went back down and out to the car.
It is now evening, the sky is dark and the lamps are on. Victor drives the two of them down into the more urban district of the city.
The deeper they drove into the area, the more lights and people and festivities Yuri saw. Of course, it is almost the New Years! His own family should be preparing too back home. Probably hoping that he returns for the celebration.
More than anything, Yuri wants to return too. But things aren't quite finished here with Victor—
"Are you ok?" Victor suddenly asks as they pull up in a parking lot behind an unknown building of sorts.
Yuri realizes how quiet he's been. He gives Victor a light shake of his head. "I shouldn't say this, but I kind of nee—want to get home for New Years. Even if it's a day later. My family's expecting me. Sorry for bringing this up."
Victor didn't look upset or anything similar to it. Instead, he smiles and turns off the car. "Sure. I've pre-ordered tickets for my own flight since I was expecting this. Let's go back together, Yuri. I'm not done making amends to you and your family yet."
"You're always arranging your plans to fit my own. How could I feel good about you already planning to go back with me?"
"It's fine, really. I didn't exactly have much of a plan myself, to begin with. Just go to my parents' home and do whatever they planned. So it's really their plans, not my own. You're not a burden, Yuri." Victor unclips his seatbelt and leans closer. "Least of all, to me."
Yuri holds his breath as he waits for the anticipated action that never came. Victor leans back again and opens the door, stepping out. "What are you waiting for? Come on!"
Stepping out of the car, Yuri looks at his surroundings. Beyond the parking lot is a large open field with park benches, fountains, and lots of people walking along the stone path. It is decorated with bright golden lights strung from lamppost to lamppost. A large Christmas tree stood in the middle of the field, making the evening seem brighter than normal.
Victor pulls Yuri's arm again, running with him through the shallow snow. They reach the field, and Yuri feels the warmth emitting from all the lights and people gathered together. He nearly stumbles across a pebble as Victor pulls him across the path.
"Omigosh, are you alright?"
"Never been better!"
The two of them continue to run through the park. All around them, children and adults began waving sparklers in linear and curvy patterns, adding more light to the brilliance of the entire place. After catching Yuri looking longingly at a father and son chasing each other with sparklers, Victor stops by one of the many stands selling these items.
He quickly grabs two and gives one to Yuri. Yuri gazes at the thin stick of wire in his hand. This entire evening begins to feel surreal. Victor takes out the lighter that came with the package and offers to light Yuri's first.
The burst of light was so sudden and bright that Yuri nearly drops his sparkler. He waves the wire around, letting the bursts of light dance around in the air. As soon as Victor lights his own, Yuri begins walking down the path again. Victor draws a floral pattern in the air with his sparkler, earning a gasp of admiration from Yuri.
The next second, Victor begins running again, waving the sparkler behind him. Yuri shouts and chases after him, shaking his sparkler with him as he ran. They pass by more people and beautifully decorated trees as Victor leads in front.
Eventually, Yuri feels the coolness of a moist breeze against his face and the sound of waves lapping…
He stops running. They reach the end of the park, in front of them is a long stone barrier that separates the land from the enormous body of water. Victor runs up to the barrier, turning around to see if Yuri is right behind him. He gestures with his sparkler for him to come down.
Yuri runs up next to Victor as he points to the horizon of the water. Yuri follows the direction of his finger. "See that? Well, I guess you can't really see since it's dark and all, but on the other side of the lake, that's where they'll be starting the show."
"What show?" Yuri asks.
"The lights show. It should be starting any time now, if we came a little later we would've in the middle of it!"
Right before Victor could finish his sentence, the first flare shot up into the sky with a loud squealing sound. As soon as the flare reached its peak, it burst into a pattern of lights and sparkles, raining back down.
That first firework is met with immediate applause and cheers from the people all around them. Many of them began running towards the waterfront now too to get a better view, while others stayed in the park to view it from there. Yuri leans forward and anticipates the next firework to go up.
The next one goes up, followed by two other fireworks simultaneously, creating an even more spectacular show than the first. The entire sky fills up with all the possible colours on a colour palette.
"Worth it?!" Victor shouts at the top of his lungs as another firework goes up.
"Definitely!" Yuri shoots his sparkler up in the air to emphasize his joy in being here.
The combination of the lights, the darkness of the evening, the people, the fireworks, and being right next to Victor's side, has made this entire experience magical. It isn't even New Year's yet, but it sure feels like it.
"I come here every year either by myself or with family or friends," Victor explains. "It's like an introduction before the real celebration of New Year's enters. But not this year. This year, I'm going to see how Hasetsu does things."
"Then I'd better tell my sister to get an entire shipment of fireworks and light them from a boat!"
"Or I could just enjoy some nice private time with everyone you care about. Enough of this noisiness."
"But with your parents there, it'll be impossible to restrain from being noisy!" Yuri laughs.
Victor widens his eyes. "Who said they'll be going?"
"Come on, Victor. You can't just leave them behind. Let's make it official, a family get together and the reunion of us!"
"Just tell your parents to keep the beer away from my mom, otherwise the entire inn is gonna fall down." Victor sighs as he rests his head on the surface of the stony barrier. "That's my first New Year's Resolution, 'keep mom under control at all times.'"
"That's fast! Let's see, for my resolution…, I'm going to clean the entire hot springs in less than half an hour! And maybe get rid of all the ginger my mom uses in almost EVERY recipe, even if it doesn't call for ginger!"
Victor laughs. "I have another one! I'll make Georgi forget, like seriously move on, from Anya, and get together with Annie!"
"Hopefully, that'll be a healthier relationship for him."
"Aaaannnndddd. I'll be paying a visit to my mom's jewellery store," Victor adds.
"What for?"
Victor gently takes Yuri's hand and raises it so that the golden ring could be shone in the light. Yuri feels his cheeks flush and heart race as Victor smiles at him mysteriously. "To upgrade from an engagement band to an actual marital band."
Yuri feels time suddenly stop moving around him. The fireworks slow down, the children run at a walking pace, the adults laugh in a drunken tone. Only him and Victor are moving at a normal speed. This is so forward…too forward…he's caught completely off guard by what Victor just said.
He doesn't know what to feel. Happiness? Fear? Upsetness? Anger, maybe? Anger because it just feels too quick and sudden. They literally just got together like a week ago, and that was just talking and getting along like old friends.
Even though Victor showed it very explicitly, Yuri didn't feel 100% emotionally attached to him, like romantically speaking! He's feeling attached to him like 75% romantically emotionally attached to Victor. He's still afraid. Afraid of something happening again that could cause their relationship to go haywire.
It's not even been a month since their first big argument and fallout in Hasetsu! Yuri needs another month or two before he could full on open his heart again to the man who swept him off his feet and changed his life forever.
But that's what his brain is telling him in this moment. Yuri's heart is crying out in joy. Joy that he and Victor are getting along great again, that they've put the past in the past and are moving on into a good direction. And more often than not, Yuri ignores his brain.
"A m—marital band…?" He stutters.
"What kind do you want?" Victor asks. "As long as it's within my budget, I can manage anything."
"Wait, I need to get you one too!"
Victor pulls Yuri's hand closer to him. "Worry about that later." Suddenly, something cold and smooth touches Yuri's hand. It is the chain ring around Victor's neck.
As if he's touched the top of a hot stove, Yuri withdrew his hand, surprising Victor. He looks down at what caused this to happen and quickly shoves the chain back into his sweater. It didn't make Yuri feel better immediately.
That joy and magical feeling are gone. "Victor…you don't have to flatter me on purpose just to make yourself feel better and convince yourself that you care. It hurts. It really does."
"But I'm not. I doing this because of my feelings, my real feelings. It's not to make myself feel better. I do care. And it hurts me to see you hurt."
"You still have feelings for Liv," Yuri says blankly. "You do."
When Victor didn't answer immediately, Yuri fights hard to keep his tears at bay. "I thought so…"
"Sigh. Whatever feelings I may still have lingering for Liv is incomparable to the ones for you. I know what you want me to say, but if I tell you that I have zero affection for her currently, I'll be lying. You can't just up and stop caring about someone the minute someone more affectionate comes into your life." Victor strokes Yuri on the back of his head. "That's not how it works. That's not how life works."
Yuri continues to remain silent as he buries his head in his arms, though he didn't mind the warmth of Victor's hand, running up and down the back of his head. Fireworks continue to go off as Victor strokes Yuri affectionately and Yuri still keeps quiet.
After about a minute or two, Victor breaks the silence with a sigh. "What you want, Yuri. Is a fairy tale, a fantasy. That's why it always hurts whenever things don't go the way you wanted it to go. I'm not letting you do this to yourself, it's time to accept reality. And in reality, changes happen all the time. We just have to adjust and make the best of it! You can still dream, but you can't forget. Dream that I'll always be by your side, that you're number one in my world. Don't forget that I will think of other people from time to time, including potential flings. But it's always you whom I'll come home to."
Yuri raises his head slightly from his arms, looking out into the horizon of the waterfront, reflecting the fireworks that are still going off. He lets Victor's words sink into his head and his heart. Those words held more truth than Yuri himself knew. It pretty much sums up his entire life from childhood to now.
Everything is a story to him. He wants to make it a story. His story. And he'll be the star of it. He'll be the one who hands in every test with a perfect score on it. He'll be the one who's well liked by everyone at school. He'll be the one to save the day. He'll be the one to stand in the center podium with a gold medal around his neck. He'll be the one to find his one and only soulmate and stay together with them, forever.
Yuri would forget that this world is full of stories and people wanting to shape it for themselves. It's competitive, harsh, and brutal at times. But it can be warm and compassionate. Like right now. It's hard to have sweet moments like this all the time, it's to be cherished.
Yuri feels tears brimming on the edges of his eyes, but it's not of sadness this time. It is the joy of finally meeting someone who can see right through him as if he's glass. The one who fits the missing piece of his puzzle. Victor is that missing piece.
And he'll never take him for granted.
The last firework shoots up into the sky. Yuri opens his mouth to say something at the same time.
"I love you."
Victor turns his head towards Yuri slowly. His mouth shut and his eyes frozen in place. Yuri refuses to look at Victor, but he knows that he heard what he just said clearly.
BOOM!
The intense sound and light from the fireworks added to the perfect timing of this moment. Yuri turns his head towards Victor right at the second the last firework goes off. His eyes gleaming from the bright lights, making him seem so innocent and surreal to Victor.
Never has he seen Yuri look so beautiful before. Not until this moment that is. He feels his entire body turn to jelly like how it did that night when they first danced at the banquet after the Sochi GPF. Falling head over heels for him all over again…
Tears also begin building up in Victor's eyes as he smiles the greatest smile he's smiled at Yuri. "I love you."
"I love you."
June. 2014. St. Petersburg Ice Arena.
Victor finishes practice early today, as with all of the skaters at this rink. It's their summer break and they always take off early the week near the end of June, right before the hardcore off-ice training begins.
He sees the last two skaters still on the ice, Liv and his junior rinkmates, Norah. Yakov had recently called Liv in to help give Norah some tips in her skating skills and spins since Norah's a clockwise skater and he's not familiar with that direction. Luckily, Liv is comfortable with spinning and skating in the other direction besides counterclockwise. Just not jumping.
Liv was helping Norah out in her camel sit spin combination. Victor can't hear much from where he's standing and walks closer to see if the two of them are almost done.
Norah performs another spin, this time, from a three-turn entrance instead of the backward crossovers entrance. Her spin looked much stronger and faster than all of her previous spins Victor's ever saw.
The improvement is slight, but it's there. Norah and Liv saw it too. They nod and smile at each other before talking some non-coherent sentences and parting their ways.
Norah leaves the ice and makes way for the female change room while Liv removes her skates on the bleachers. Victor walks up, taking a seat next to her.
"Is Yakov paying you for helping Norah?"
"Yeah, I forgot the wage. So don't ask how much," Liv says as she puts on her sneakers and zips up her bag. "Let's go!"
Victor wraps an arm around her shoulder as they walk out of the main rink together and out towards the front entrance. The entire arena and the parking lot outside is practically empty.
Looks like nobody wants to spend any more time than necessary on the ice while they still have the time to enjoy themselves at home or on a tropical resort.
"Any plans for tonight?" Victor asks. "Your school's over long ago, my break is here until next week. Let's have fun!"
"Amusement park maybe?"
"Why not? We can try out all those ice cream cakes and sweet and sour chicken and fried milk desserts!"
Liv laughs. "I meant the rides…"
Her voice trails away as the two of them exit the building the main door and step out into the hot afternoon sun shining down on the parking lot. But it was the person a few meters in front of them that got Liv to lose her voice. And her leg strength.
The person is a tall middle-aged woman wearing a large sun hat that covered her entire head. No hair fell out beneath it or framing around her gentle eyes looking directly at the two of them standing on the front steps of the arena.
Next to the woman stood Yakov, who nodded towards them and then towards the woman. Victor sees the face Liv is making and knowingly releases her. He looks at the woman in front of him. Even though her attire is different, he still recognizes her. Though barely.
Liv, however, knows exactly who she is.
"Angela…coach Angela…?"
She begins speed walking towards Angela. Who waits anxiously for her to come up to her with open arms. Liv falls into her coach's embrace. The two women squeeze each other tightly and cry tears of happiness.
Liv pulls back to get a better look at Angela. "You're back. You're all better?"
"Better enough to be discharged, I'll have to go back to the hospital every now and then for checks and if things start going wrong again," Angela explains.
"I almost didn't recognize you without your, uh…"
"I get it, I get it. Of course, my hair would fall out!" Angela removes her sun hat, revealing a head gone of her former blonde hair. "That's chemotherapy for you. Don't worry, my kids have been getting all sorts of wigs until the hair grows back! Oh, some of them are just absolutely ridiculous, but they're kids."
The two women share a laugh and hug again. Victor slowly walks down towards them, unable to control his smile from the joy in this moment. Even Yakov looked glad! It is a happy afternoon in June, skating practice is over, their break is here, and Liv reunites with her coach Angela.
Liv finally pops the big question. "Are you going to come back to the rink this summer?"
Angela makes an unsure face. "I don't know, I hope so. I'll have to see one more test from the doctors to be sure. But even after that, I don't know if the cancer will suddenly come back. Livvy, my life will never be the same again. I'll never know the day when I'll be rushed into the emergency room again. My fight with this illness never over."
Liv's face grays. "I'm so sorry, you didn't deserve this nor did your family. You decide what's best for you."
Angela takes Liv's hands in hers. "All I'm saying is don't expect things to fall back into place so soon. I'll be coming back to the regular rink, I'll be coaching and helping out this off-season. I've already met with and called many of my other students. It's just that, don't be surprised if I don't show up one day, alright? Which is probably going to be very often."
"I understand. So, I'll be coming back to the old rink again."
"Aaannnnndddddd," Angela adds. "I'll 100% be going as your coach to any competitions you have next season!"
"Great stuff! If I get into any competitions next season," Liv rolls her eyes.
Yakov takes out his phone from his pocket and walks up to Liv. "Actually, I think you have. Please check the media more often from now, ok?"
Liv looks at the phone's screen held up by Yakov, along with Angela and Victor. He summarizes the list they see on screen. "Liv, looks like the RSU sees something in you. You're invited to the Rostelecom. And your home country's invited you to Skate America. Good job."
"I. Don't. Believe. This." Liv states.
"You don't believe it in a 'good way' or 'bad way?'" Victor asks.
"Both!" She throws her arms up in the air. "But, for the sake of this happy moment. I'll believe this is a happy thing. AHHH!"
Angela gives Liv a congratulations hug. "See? Things are finally starting to look up! It's time to introduce yourself to the world this coming season as a new and fresh start."
"With you by my side! This is awesome!" Liv squeals.
"Oh yeah, and one more thing," Angela walks up to Yakov and Victor. She shakes both of their hands. "Thank you so much for your help. Last season has definitely been one of Liv's better seasons. I can't thank you enough!"
"I enjoyed helping, just being with her in general," Victor says. "Her jumping height has improved a lot. Check it out when you're back at your rink."
"Fixed most of the underrotating, just have to keep it consistent," Yakov adds.
"Plyometrics and harnesses really help!" Liv gives a thumbs up.
Angela checks her phone to see the time. "Alright, I have to go soon for a pelvic exam. But before I do, Victor, for the days I can't make it to my rink, are you able to work with Liv? I mean this way, every day won't go to waste."
"Delighted to. Here's a promise, by the end of summer, there'll be another addition of a clean triple axel to the history of ladies' figure skating!"
Yakov and Liv nearly choke on their own saliva, but Angela seems intrigued by this. "I'll see by the end of summer. Got to go! Livvy, so good to see you! I'll see you again at the rink! Bye!"
"Bye!" All three of them wave as Angela runs down to the bus stop around the corner of the block.
As soon as she's out of sight, Yakov and Liv turn on Victor. "Triple axel!? Aren't you pushing the limits a bit too far, Victor!?" Yakov shouts.
"Let's just take this step-by-step, ok?" Liv suggests. "I just want to increase my height on all my other triples, triple lutz especially. We can worry about triple axel when I stop receiving under-rotation deductions."
Victor tries to calm the situation. "I'm just saying that it's a possibility. You're already a fast rotator in the air, Liv, even at your previous height, you still manage to sort of squeeze three rotations in! Imagine that speed of rotations at a higher height! You see what I mean?"
"Easier said than done, to be honest. But I see what you mean," Liv admits.
Yakov sticks out his index finger at Victor. "Just keep in mind that Angela's back and you can't do anything that conflicts with what she has in store for Liv, her official student. Got it?"
"Yes, sir!" Victor salutes.
"Then have a great rest of the afternoon!" Yakov walks towards his car and drives out from the parking lot.
Victor and Liv took a moment of silence to contemplate everything that had just happened. Finally, they're back on track!
"Amusement park?" Victor asks.
"Amusement park." Liv nods.
We are nearing the end of this backstory! *Gives myself a pat on the back. Soon, I'll be continuing this story in the present timeline, centering around Yuri and the interactions he has with Victor and other significant people in his life, including some new ones to will appear. The goal of this story is the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics! Stay tuned!
Thanks for reading! Please FAV, FOLLOW, and REVIEW!